Hunter
07/14/22
The Iowa City School District is denying the defamation claims of the former Wet High School girls tennis coach, Amie Villarini.
The Press Citizen reports that the coach’s suit was filed last month, and centers on comments made during a school board meeting this past April.
The meeting featured a junior at the school describing being touched on her back and thighs by Villarini that made her uncomfortable. She and another student accused the District of not adequately addressing their concerns when they were brought to the board.
Villarini said that statements made by the players about her conduct as coach were false and defamatory. She says she requested the school district remove the video of the meeting from their website, but they have not complied. Her suit doesn’t include the students. Villarini was placed on administrative leave the day after the meeting, and she is no longer listed on the West High website as a coach.
The suit seeks unspecified damages. School district lawyers are asking the case be dismissed “with prejudice,” meaning it could not be refiled. A trial scheduling conference is set for Aug. 17.