Lawsuit alleges sexual harassment within Unadilla Valley Central School District bus garage
NEW BERLIN, NY (WBNG) -- A sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against the Unadilla Valley Central School District by one of its former employees.
Dawn Tumilowicz, the plaintiff in the case, was employed as a bus driver at the school district from September 2022 to October 2023. Tumilowicz took the job as a way to be with her four children who attend the school.
Following passing her Certified Driver’s License, or CDL, test on Jan. 14, 2022, she began working for the district. After her employment began, Tumilowicz alleges that there were incidents of sexual harassment with the bus garage in the lawsuit.
The alleged incidents included:
- A male driver was overheard by Tumilowicz commenting on a kindergarten girl’s shorts. Stating the kindergartner should, according to the document, “Come back and see him when she turned 18.”
- Inappropriate sexual comments and teasing.
- Sexual harassment and making fun of her 3-year-old for not being able to walk due to a sensory processing disorder.
- The transportation director said he knew about the inappropriate behavior at the bus garage by various drivers but if anyone found he said he would lose his job.
- Racist and derogatory comments regarding students.
- Another driver is accused of trying to barge into the restroom following Tumilowicz.
- An accusation of the Transportation Director of covering up two bus accidents which were caused by inappropriate behavior amongst drivers.
- During a sexual harassment training, a video on how to recognize signs of sexual abuse in children, one driver stated, “don’t come to my house then.”
Tumilowicz is being represented by Pechman Law firm. Lawyer Vivianna Morales told 12 News Friday:
”In this matter, the school district has failed in its responsibility to Dawn and to the children who ride the buses to school. These are horrifying allegations for any workplace but it is sickening for these to have happened in a school district. You would hope that a school district would be more sensitive to bullying, particularly when it involves demeaning sexual harassment. Unfortunately, the school district did not protect Dawn or the children for that matter.”
12 News reached out to school administration and received a response from Ferrara Fiorenza, the firm representing the district.
“The school district has not yet been served with any legal action involving Ms. Tumilowicz,” the firm stated. “Accordingly, the school district cannot comment on such legal action.”
Representatives from Ferrara Fiorenza said when the school receives a legal action they will provide another statement.
The allegations stem from February 2022 to October 2023.
This is a developing story. Stay with 12 News for more information.
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