Former teacher sues Kentucky school board for failures over student’s shooting death

A former high school teacher is suing a Kentucky school board, alleging negligence in failing to prevent the death of a student.

Morgan Gilvin filed a petition against the Covington Board of Education Monday claiming the board and district leaders failed to act and prevent the shooting of two students.

Amani Smith, 14, and his girlfriend Miley Bailey were shot on Jan. 23 while walking home from school. Both teens were taken to the hospital; Smith was pronounced dead upon arrival, according to Cincinnati station WLWT5.

The lawsuit alleges the school’s inaction contributed to the tragedy. Gilvin claims to have reported threatening behavior by a student involved in Smith’s killing multiple times, yet no intervention was attempted until after the fatal incident.

Gilvin says her concerns about safety at the school, including threats of violence, were disregarded.  

Amani’s parents, echoing Gilvin’s concerns, claim their son’s death could have been avoided had the school system responded adequately to previous reports of harassment and threats. They said they welcome Gilvin’s lawsuit, hoping it will shed light on what they perceive as failures by school leadership, reports WKRC Local 12.  

According to Amani’s mother, the conflict that led to his death stemmed from ongoing issues her older son faced at school, which escalated into fighting, harassment and threats. The mother said the alleged shooter had gotten into a fight in the bathroom at school with Amani’s older brother before the shooting. 

She says that for her son, the conflict was over when the fight ended, but then he started getting threatening social media messages. 

The mother says she reported the threats to school officials, but that the district ignored her concerns. She believes the gunman was waiting for her older son but ended up seeing his younger brother, fatally shooting him instead.  

Gilvin, who taught art and coached the varsity girls’ soccer team for over five years, was forced to resign a month after Amani’s death, according to Link NKY. She is suing for damages, citing a “forced resignation” due to a hostile work environment, and is requesting a jury trial.  

A 17-year-old male has been charged with murder in connection with Amani’s death, and is being held at the Campbell County Regional Detention Center. 

Three other teens were charged in connection to the murder, according to WCPO.