KENOSHA – A former middle school principal who resigned during an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations has withdrawn his request for an injunction.
Former Washington Middle School Principal Curtiss Tolefree was seeking to block the Kenosha News and Chicago Tribune from printing stories based on personnel documents. The records, which he argues were illegally released, relate to sexual misconduct allegations against him, the Kenosha News reported.
Tolefree said he received correspondence about the records request from the district but didn’t know he could object to the release. He asserted release of the records would cause irreparable harm, damage his reputation and embarrass his family.
Tolefree resigned in July after learning that Superintendent Dr. Sue Savaglio-Jarvis requested a hearing to consider his termination. The request followed an investigation into complaints from staff that Tolefree had sexual relationships with subordinates in the school building and during taxpayer-funded school conferences, wrote Deneen Smith of the Kenosha News. Allegations also claim he hired his sister despite being told it was a violation of policy and that he created a hostile work environment.
Tolefree’s attorney told the Kenosha News the injunction request was withdrawn because stories had already been published.
