ST. LOUIS — A non-binary student is suing Harrisonville School District alleging they were discriminated against by administrative staff.
Crowley Mangan, the plaintiff, is a non-binary individual and they have several medical diagnoses, including PTSD related to their experiences in school; migraines; and other conditions that cause chronic pain and emotional distress, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
Their health issues qualify them as having a disability, meaning they need certain accommodations in school, according to the suit.
From elementary school onward, the plaintiff experienced emotional and verbal abuse from staff, including their third-grade teacher, Catie Miller, and the principal, Julie Dahlstrom.
Miller treated the plaintiff differently than other students, mocking and singling them out in front of classmates, the complaint alleges.
Mangan claims on one occasion, the principal detained the plaintiff in her office for two hours without supervision, which caused significant emotional trauma and contributed to their PTSD.
Despite this, the plaintiff continued attending school, but their mother had to fight for basic accommodations.
In third grade, their request to switch teachers was repeatedly denied until a school board member intervened.
In fifth grade, the plaintiff’s request to bring an emotional support bunny to school was met with resistance, despite the school allowing service animals.
When the bunny eventually got loose, the school banned the animal, forcing the plaintiff to homeschool again, according to the suit.
The plaintiff tried returning to school in middle and high school. They wanted to participate in activities like band, where they thrived under supportive teachers, the complaint states.
Mangan claims, however, that many of their teachers refused to accommodate their disabilities or respect their gender identity, despite school policies requiring these accommodations.
The plaintiff’s grades suffered because of the lack of support.
In high school, the situation worsened when new band directors refused to use the plaintiff’s chosen pronouns and made them feel unsafe in band practices.
The plaintiff claims their accommodations were often ignored, and the new band staff penalized them for missing school, despite their education plan covering their absences.
The plaintiff was embarrassed in front of peers and felt targeted, according to the suit.
Their mother repeatedly advocated for the plaintiff, raising concerns with school administrators and the school board, the complaint states, however, most of these complaints were ignored, and attempts to address the discrimination were dismissed.
Mangan claims the situation became so hostile that by their junior year, the plaintiff decided they could no longer endure the school environment and opted for homeschooling.
Mangan claims friends of the plaintiff also started facing discrimination due to their association.
Ultimately, the plaintiff’s doctors determined that continuing at the school posed a life-threatening risk to their physical and emotional well-being, according to the suit.
The plaintiff’s mother, a long-time volunteer in the district, faced backlash from school staff and lost her standing in the community after advocating for her child, the complaint states.
Mangan claims that, as a result, the plaintiff continues to experience trauma and requires ongoing treatment.
They allege that the school district discriminated against them because of their disabilities and gender identity, violated their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title IX, and created a hostile learning environment through intentional acts of retaliation.
The plaintiff is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. They are represented by Mary Madeline Johnson of Missouri Kansas Queer Law in North Kansas City, Mo.
The attorney did not respond to a request for comment.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri case number: 4:24-cv-00606