On Thursday night, the school board adopted a new harassment policy that goes further than either state or federal law requires, said Winter Huff, the school district's attorney. The new policy in Somerset applies to both students and employees. It goes one step beyond forbidding same-sex harassment by addressing homosexuality as well, Huff said. It also describes the schools' responsibilities and the recourse available to victims. Administrators knew Putman had received death threats, yet did nothing to stop his tormentors, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in London.
Chance is now superintendent in Franklin County.
One of Putman's attorneys, Everett Hoffman of Louisville, confirmed that the settlement had been reached, but said he could not disclose its contents because of a confidentiality clause. Cooper said the harassment policy was what she and her son really wanted. School-law experts said other Kentucky districts should take note of the Somerset case. School districts also are not allowed to give lip service to stopping harassment. A federal appeals court recently upheld a verdict in favor of a Spencer County student who claimed the school district merely talked to students who constantly harassed her.