Dismissal of Lawsuit Sought in NE Iowa School/Sex Case

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — The Dubuque Community School District wants a court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a former student who had sexual contact with an assistant principal.

Former Hempstead High School assistant principal Shane Oswald was sentenced to prison in December 2010 after being convicted of sexual exploitation by a school employee. Court documents say Oswald had sexual contact with the 17-year-old student between August and November 2009.

The motion filed Tuesday says the district is considered a municipality and that lawsuits against it and its employees must be filed within two years of an incident. David Thinnes represents the woman, and he says state law allows for such lawsuits to be brought up to five years after victims have graduated.