Family Files Lawsuit Against School District Over Allegations of Band Director's Sexual Harassment

The parents of a 15-year-old girl have filed a tort claim notice against Twin Lakes School Corp., alleging that their daughter was sexually harassed by her band director, Timothy Bulow.

A tort claim is a prerequisite for a civil lawsuit. According to the notice, Bulow used his position to groom the student for a sexual relationship, engaging in inappropriate conduct such as making sexual statements, sending text messages, and physically touching her.

The parents claim that school administrators were aware or should have been aware of Bulow's history of grooming and sexually harassing female students. They are seeking $700,000 in damages for each instance of alleged abuse, along with a written apology and policy changes from the school district.

"We can't always be there to protect our daughters, but school is the last place that parents should have to worry about them being abused," said Tom Blessing, the family's attorney. "This case is a textbook example of a teacher grooming one of his students."

The notice alleges that the school district was negligent in supervising their daughter and in hiring and supervising Bulow. The parents had previously expressed concerns about Bulow to the middle school principal, and another parent reported similar concerns to school officials two years ago.

Blessing noted an increase in similar cases and described a common pattern of grooming behavior by teachers and coaches. He urged anyone with information about Bulow to come forward.

Twin Lakes School Corp. serves students in Carroll and White counties, with 2,279 students enrolled in the 2023-24 school year.