WLCS refutes suit's claim of trampling incident at WLW

The Walled Lake Consolidated School District says it has “no reason to believe a ‘trampling’ incident took place at Walled Lake Western High School” during the last school year, an alleged incident that has prompted a lawsuit filed against the district by a Walled Lake Western teacher who claims she was injured by at least one student during an October event at the school.

“There is a teacher who has made this claim,” said Judy Evola, the district’s spokesperson. “However, after a thorough investigation, including looking at surveillance camera videos and yearbook photos, and conducting both an internal investigation and an Oakland County Sheriff’s Department investigation, the district concluded the incident did not occur. In fact, the Sheriff’s (Department) investigation has been closed for seven months.”

Eleni Anastos, a special education teacher at the school, filed the complaint against the district alleging that she was trampled last October during a Field Day event at the school.

The lawsuit claims that Anastos suffered from a herniated disc, cervical sprain, multiple bruises and abrasions, and post-traumatic stress disorder because of the incident.

The lawsuit was filed in Oakland County Circuit Court last month, and has been assigned to Judge Wendy Potts.

Anastos is seeking in excess of $25,000 in damages, according to the lawsuit. She remains employed by the school district.

“Safety is the No. 1 priority at Walled Lake Schools,” Evola said. “The employee has been cleared to come back to work. We look forward to this employee coming back to work and we await this employee’s return.”