The Cherry Hill West High School student alleges repeated sexual harassment.
CHERRY HILL TWP. -- The parents of a Cherry Hill West High School student claim in a lawsuit that the district failed to investigate a teacher's inappropriate advances -- even after her parents brought their concerns to the school district.
In the lawsuit filed Tuesday by two Cherry Hill parents of a student identified only as ""S.R." claims math teacher and coach Francis Madison put his arms around her, placed his head on her neck and said he loved her.
"At this time, the district is not aware of any pending litigation against the Cherry Hill Public Schools. In addition, the district is legally constrained from making any comments pertaining to personnel and/or student matters," a statement provided by the school district Wednesday reads.
Prom-goers, here's why you shouldn't drink and drive
Per the suit, Madison's alleged contact with S.R. was not an isolated incident. It claims other attempts were frequently made during school hours and on school grounds. When S.R. spoke with the school's guidance counselor in May 2015, she was apparently told that the teacher may have just been acting "friendly" and asking what she was wearing at the time.
That same month, S.R. was sent from class to speak with the school principal and was asked about the teacher's alleged conduct. Although no outside parties were notified, the lawsuit claims the teacher was "briefly" suspended and without any "remedial action" being taken.
According to the suit, the parents later learned that the teacher had made other inappropriate gestures and comments to other Cherry Hill West students. The suit claims that complaints made by the parents to school administration as well as the school board fell on deaf ears.
S.R. would later leave the high school to receive home instruction and may have to repeat her junior year. The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages for emotional distress, medical expenses, loss of reputation and more.
Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook.