An Iowa appeals court has ordered a new trial for a couple who accused Urbandale schools of failing to protect their child from abuse.
Parents Jodi and Michael Safris sued the Urbandale Community School District in 2022. The complaint alleged that beginning in 2018, another student pressured their child to send them lewd photos, then shared the photos with classmates, causing widespread harassment.
The other student continued pressuring the Safris’ child, eventually escalating to inappropriate touching during classes, according to the suit.
Safris’ child was so disturbed she began avoiding school and ultimately required treatment for several mental health diagnoses related to her classmate’s abuse.
The family sued the district, accusing officials of negligence for failing to prevent the abuse. The case went to trial in November 2024, and the jury found the district at fault for negligence but did not award any damages.
Now, the case is on track for a new trial after the Iowa Court of Appeals found the district court judge made several errors that could have affected the outcome. The appeals court ruled the jury instructions misstated a school district’s duty to care for its students, and the judge allowed an expert the district retained impermissibly testify that the district had complied with its legal obligations.
A spokesperson for the Urbandale district said it is reviewing the ruling and declined to comment. Jodi Safris in an email said the family was encouraged by the decision.
“We believe that justice is being served and are grateful to the courts for their careful consideration and application of the law that ultimately landed in our favor,” she said. “As a family, we continue to fight for the safety of all students in every classroom and hope this decision serves to protect other students who are forced to navigate similar circumstances.”
The previous finding of negligence also triggered investigations by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, which oversees educator licensure, and Iowa Attorney General’s Office, although no findings or discipline have been announced by either entity.
The Board of Educational Examiners also in November 2025 launched a misconduct investigation against Urbandale Superintendent Rosalie Daca for alleged ethics violations, including falsifying or omitting material information in compliance reports, failing to follow federal or state laws tied to her duties, failing to protect student and staff safety, and repeatedly falling short of minimum standards as an administrator. No findings have been announced in that case as well.
William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa appeals court orders new trial in Urbandale schools abuse case
Reporting by William Morris, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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By William Morris, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
