University of Nashville students protest response to sexual harassment

About 150 students walked out of class at the University School of Nashville on Wednesday morning to demand the resignation of two principals over their handling of sexual harassment allegations against a now-former teacher.

The group, along with a handful of parents and alumni, gathered on the front lawn of the school on Edgehill Avenue around 11 a.m. The University School of Nashville Student Union for Action organized the event and called for the resignation of Principal Amani Reed and Assistant Principal Quinton Walker.

The students led the group in chanting, “Reed has to go,” “Protect our children,” and “Save our school.” Sometimes they turned toward the doors of the school, where a student said Reed was inside. The group also marched around the block, chanting with signs in hand as it wound its way down 21st Avenue South before returning to campus.

More: USN is suing teacher who was fired after allegations were made that he did not cooperate with the investigation

Dean Masullo, who taught English at the school for 15 years, was suspended in May, immediately after a student came forward and accused him of grooming and sexually harassing her. Masullo was ultimately fired in July. The student has now graduated. The Tennessean is not naming her because it does not mention victims of sexual harassment.

In August, the former student’s attorney sent a letter to the school’s board of trustees criticizing the administration’s response to the situation. It said the school failed to hire an independent investigative team, although Reed claimed it had hired “outside experts.” The letter also said that Walker promised to keep the former student and her family informed about what was happening, but instead relied on the school’s attorney to communicate with them.

The letter also questioned the payment of nearly $30,000 to Masullo as part of a separation agreement. The student union formed after Masullo’s dismissal also expressed concerns about the school’s response and payment.

“The solution of a predator is not the solution,” the former student said at Wednesday’s demonstration.

The school said it hired investigators from a business law firm to investigate Masullo’s actions and the school’s response to the allegations about a month after the letter was sent. The school board also formed a seven-member ad hoc committee to address school safety and called for the formation of a larger task force.

However, according to the former student, these actions do not correct Walker and Reed’s initial reaction. At the strike, she said her reaction compounded her trauma in a “colossal” way.

“I’m here because I don’t have the option to just leave this behind,” she told the group.

Students, graduates and parents are urging action

According to the letter, Masullo was paid $28,443 when he was fired. The Tennessean obtained an email from the ad hoc committee to the larger school community defending the decision.

The email said the payment was included in the separation agreement to avoid future litigation from Masullo, which could include lawsuits against the former student. The separation agreement also required him to cooperate with ongoing and future investigations into his conduct.

Last week, the school sued Masullo to revoke the payment, accusing him of failing to cooperate with the investigation.

Other students who spoke at the demonstration said school leaders had damaged the school’s sense of safety and trust. One of the adults standing with the students held a sign that read, “Stop protecting Masullo and Reed. Students before PR.”

The former student said she was tired of board members telling her she was brave and strong when it came to speaking her mind and instead wanted them to do those things on her behalf by firing Reed and Walker . She also said she worries the school’s response could mean others don’t feel safe enough to come forward if they face similar issues.

“This is not about me,” she told those gathered. “It’s about you.”

The University School of Nashville is suing Masullo and stepping up its response to concerns

Masullo is now facing a lawsuit from his former employer, who tells him he will not answer questions as part of the investigation. The lawsuit, filed last week in Davidson County Chancery Court, said Masullo refused to cooperate with an internal investigation because there was an “alleged criminal investigation pending.” The school’s lawyers forwarded letters from the former student’s attorney, a principal and several faculty members about Masullo’s conduct to the Nashville district attorney’s office.

No charges had been filed against Masullo in Davidson County as of Wednesday, and Metro Nashville police did not say whether an investigation had been opened. The Tennessean received no response after leaving a voicemail and sending a text message to a phone number associated with Masullo last week.

After Wednesday’s strike, the school released a statement saying “responsible civic action” was one of its guiding principles.

“During this difficult time for our school, open dialogue with our community has been critical to inform the board’s actions, including initiating a new investigation into all actions in this matter, notifying the Nashville District Attorney’s Office of our efforts and the Establishing a community task force to review student safety and reporting policies,” the statement said.

Last month, the board called for the formation of a task force “to analyze and make recommendations on the school’s reporting and investigation practices, external and internal communications policies and student support services,” according to a school spokesman. It will feature University School of Nashville students, parents, staff, alumni and board members. The members will be announced shortly.

“No decisions will be made until the investigation has had sufficient time to carefully consider all aspects of this matter,” the school said.

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University of Nashville students protest response to sexual harassment

Students, graduates and parents are urging action

The University School of Nashville is suing Masullo and stepping up its response to concerns

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