Torts-Assault-Hostile School Environment

Staff Report//April 29, 2026//

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Plaintiff appealed the adverse judgment in her lawsuit. Plaintiff, a high school student, claimed that her P.E. teacher admonished her for opening an external door to the school gymnasium by choking her. Plaintiff asserted claims of assault, sex discrimination, hostile school environment and other claims. The trial court granted a directed verdict in defendants’ favor on all but the retaliation and assault claims, which the jury found in defendants’ favor.

Where plaintiff failed to prove that her sex was the motivating factor for the alleged discrimination and harassment, her hostile school environment claims failed, and the trial court’s evidentiary rulings did not prejudice the outcome of the trial.

Judgment is affirmed.

Jackson v. Excelsior Springs School District (MLW No. 84678/Case No. WD87661 – 24 pages) (Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, Ardini, Jr., J.) Appealed from circuit court, Clay County, Chamberlain, J. (Dione Greene, Kansas City for appellant) (Anthony McDaniel, Kansas City and Charnissa Holliday Scott, Kansas City for respondent)