The exterior of the Oconto Falls Schools District Office is seen Jan. 22, 2021. PC: Fox 11 Online
OCONTO FALLS, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A sixth plaintiff has added her name to a federal lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct in the Oconto Falls School District.
The newest plaintiff is a mother of a minor daughter. Her claims allege misconduct by staff members including Gayle Gander, a drama teacher who was charged in January.
A second amended complaint was filed Tuesday by Disparti Law Group, who is representing the plaintiffs. It includes declarations from four more alleged victims with allegations ranging from locker room intrusions, inappropriate physical contact, inappropriate dress requirements, sexual assault by a fellow student and inappropriate relationships with staff members.
The amended complaint also includes a copy of a 2023 public statement from the school district denying allegations that were circulating on social media.
The amended complaint includes allegations against 11 staff members. Two of those have been charged: Gander and Brynn Larsen, a former substitute teacher and volleyball coach who spent two years in prison after she pleaded no contest in 2021 to sexual assault involving one of the plaintiffs.
District officials provided this statement following the latest filing:
To the Oconto Falls School District Community:
The Oconto Falls School District Board of Education has been carefully watching the developments in the lawsuit filed against the District. Out of respect for the plaintiffs who were actually victimized by the misconduct of individuals, the Board has not directly commented on many of the allegations in the complaint. At this time, the Board feels obligated to communicate to our community regarding these continuously evolving allegations.
The Board asks the Oconto Falls School District community to understand that merely because an attorney makes allegations in a complaint, does not mean all of those allegations are factually accurate. Additionally, one must consider the reputation of the attorney making those allegations. A Google search reveals just how this Chicago attorney licensed by the Illinois State Bar tends to practice. Significant aspects of the filings in this matter reflect consistency with this attorney’s practices.
The Board also wishes to reassure the community that even prior to the filing of this complaint we have been actively reviewing and conducting investigations concerning the allegations raised in these court filings. The allegations contained in these filings are either allegations that have never been previously communicated to any school official, or that have been previously investigated and either resulted in corrective action or found to lack merit. It will continue to be this Board’s insistence that any allegations of misconduct be reviewed and fairly investigated. The Board will continue to demand that when an investigation establishes wrongdoing, swift and decisive action be taken in both employment decisions and referrals to law enforcement.
We want to reiterate our support for those who have been victimized. In the future the Board hopes that any concerns be brought to the District or to law enforcement as soon as possible. We will continue efforts to provide a safe and nurturing educational environment for all of our students. We also want to express appreciation for the District staff who have maintained their professionalism and commitment to student achievement. We continue to celebrate the many outstanding staff members, students, and community members that make this an excellent school district.
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