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Devono comments on lawsuits

ELKINS — Randolph County Superintendent of Schools Gabriel “Gabe” Devono commented Friday afternoon on the 13 lawsuits filed against the county Board of Education and a county schools employee on Thursday.

The suits allege that Kimberly Smith, while a teacher in the pre-kindergarten program at Beverly Elementary School, “engaged in multiple malicious acts of physical, emotional and mental abuse toward her students.”

On Friday, Devono gave the following statement to The Inter-Mountain.

“I’m aware of the recent lawsuits that have been filed against the school system and/or one of the system’s employees only because of media inquiries,” the statement reads. “At this time, the school system has not been served with the actual lawsuits; therefore, I’ve not read the actual complaints filed with the Circuit Clerk.

“As the media is aware, the school system, similar to anyone involved in litigation, is very limited in our ability to make any statements regarding pending litigation. I will say that, the allegations as I hear them to be (which relate to alleged incidents 8 or so years ago), are the same sensational allegations that the school system seriously investigated earlier in the year as did the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (Child Protective Services). At that time, and today, there is absolutely no substantiating evidence to the alleged conduct that is said to have occurred approximately 8 years ago, none.

“Once the school system is officially served, we will submit the claims to the West Virginia Board of Risk and Insurance Management for handling. No additional comments will be made by the school system in moving forward,” the statement closes.

The lawsuits claim that Smith “maliciously, wantonly and recklessly threatened, bullied and intimidated” the students, and accuse her of “repeatedly putting Pre-K students in a closet and forcing them to remain there against their will.”

The parents bringing the lawsuits are being represented by attorney James R. Fox of Hurricane. The parents filing suit are Curlie Ray Jr. and Marlene Ray; Troy Ruddle and Tracy Ruddle; Louis Scott Daniels and Patty Howard; Leon Eaton and Kim Eaton; Amy Erdman; Gary Hannah and Diana Hannah; Amber Hinchman; Kerri Lamb; Buddy Leary and Ashley Leary; Larry Scott and Nancy Scott; Nichole Summerfield; Erica Swecker; and Jerry Wimer and Lisa Wimer.

The complaints request jury trials, and for the juries to determine compensation for damages. Devono confirmed Thursday that Smith is still employed by Randolph County Schools.

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