School Board disallows claim over alleged Homestead assault

The Mequon-Thiensville Board of Education has voted to disallow a claim filed with the district that alleged school officials were negligent in securing Homestead High School after hours on Nov. 3, the day an alleged sexual incident occurred between students at the school.

The board's vote on Thursday means that any potential lawsuit for claims relating to the incident would have to be filed in the Wisconsin court system within six months, said a statement from the district's law firm, Crivello-Carlson S.C.

Brent Anderson and DeAngelo Dantzler, both 18-year-old Mequon residents and Homestead seniors, were charged Dec. 2 with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in an open practice room at the school on Nov. 3.

The 14-year-old girl said she also had sexual activity with a third student, a 15-year-old boy, during the incident, according to the criminal complaint.

Days after the charges were issued, Homestead's principal sent a letter to parents announcing stricter rules for after-hours activity, including locking out of the building starting at 3:30 p.m. any students not involved in an after-school meeting or other gathering.

The Crivello-Carlson statement released Thursday says the district conducted a "methodical and thorough investigation" of the incident that included local police. The school board believes district officials "acted consistently with all applicable laws, regulations and district policies," according to the firm's statement.

Anderson and Dantzler have motion hearings in court scheduled for April 27, according to the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system.