The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a case in which an elementary school teacher was convicted of sexually abusing a student. In litigation, an appeals court ruled that the victim should be awarded damages from the school principal who failed to act on complaints about the teacher’s behavior. However, the court refused to hold the school district responsible. The victim appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, arguing that the school district was also culpable because it was made aware of the situation and failed to act. By refusing to hear the case, the Court let the appellate court ruling stand. (Baynard v. Alexanderia School Board, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, No. 00-2340,2001)