Former student sues Des Moines school district

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former Des Moines high school student is suing the school district and a principal for failing to protect her from a teacher’s sexual advances.

The Des Moines Register reports the lawsuit filed by Josephine Stephens claims Scavo High School Principal Rich Blonigan and another teacher knew Kenneth Rettler spent time alone with Stephens in his locked classroom and did nothing about it.

The lawsuit, filed this week in Polk County, claims Rettler also sent inappropriate text messages and e-mails to Stephens, who was 17. The messages and closed-door contact occurred in 2009.

School district spokesman Phil Roeder declined comment.

Rettler was fired last year. He pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation by a school employee and was sentenced to 180 days in jail.