Attorneys representing several former students in the Oconto Falls School District have filed a second amended complaint against the school board, alleging a pattern of sexual abuse spanning more than 20 years within the district.
On March 30, attorneys from Disparti Law Group filed a motion seeking to submit a second amended complaint following the emergence of additional witnesses in the case.
Counsel for the school district immediately opposed the motion; however, on March 31, the court sided with Disparti Law Group.
In its ruling, the court noted that “when a plaintiff seeks leave to file an amended complaint at the outset of the case, defense objections are best raised in a motion to dismiss.”
The second amended complaint was filed in federal court shortly thereafter.
“Since launching this case against the Oconto Falls School District, our sexual abuse hotline has been flooded with calls from additional witnesses and potential victims,” said attorney Cass Casper of Disparti Law Group. “We are discovering that the alleged pattern of abuse is far more widespread and pervasive than initially understood.”
Among the new additions to the complaint is testimony from Brie Carriveau, the parent of a former seventh grade student at Oconto Falls Middle School during the 2022-23 school year. Carriveau, who also moderates the Facebook group Parents of Oconto Falls Schools, submitted a signed declaration describing alleged patterns of misconduct.
These include locker room intrusions, inappropriate physical contact during gym class stretching exercises, inappropriate staring, dress requirements targeting female students, threats to enter girls’ locker rooms and an alleged incident involving the inappropriate touching of a student’s thigh.
The amended complaint also includes a letter from the school district’s attorneys that disputes the legality of a lawsuit.
Amanda Watzka and Brooke La Count, two plaintiffs in the case, approached the district in August 2025 to discuss the matter prior to a lawsuit being filed.
The next month, attorney Ronald Stadler of Stadler Sacks responded and argued against the reasons for a lawsuit.
Stadler said each of the alleged claims was barred due to the statute of limitations. He further asserted that repressed memories did not affect those statutes of limitations.
“The Court rejected this argument, holding that ‘accrual of an action is not dependent upon knowing the full extent of one’s injuries,’” Stadler wrote.
Stadler also said the women’s claim for “negligence involving known danger and ministerial duty” was frivolous as a matter of law.
“Allegations of negligently hiring, retaining or supervising someone that committed the enumerated injury-causing act is not an action to recover damages,” he added.
In this second amended complaint, additional declarations were submitted by:
• Jen McLeod, a former student alleging abuse by a history teacher.
• Jennifer Allen, a former student alleging an inappropriate relationship with a basketball coach who was later hired as a teacher.
• Nicole Coopman, a former student alleging an inappropriate relationship with a basketball coach.
• Rebecca Doan, a former student alleging she was sexually abused by another student during a school-sponsored camping trip following a football game, reported the incident to school administrators and received no response.
“We send our children to school to learn, grow and reach their full potential. Schools have a responsibility to provide a safe and nurturing environment,” said Larry Disparti, founder of Disparti Law Group. “The allegations emerging from Oconto Falls suggest a serious breach of that trust. I have great respect for the students who have come forward to share their experiences in pursuit of accountability and meaningful change.”
Individuals who may have witnessed abuse or believe they may have been victims are encouraged to contact the firm’s dedicated sexual abuse hotline at 414-368-0083.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
