Parents of late FHS student sue administrators, teacher, KCS, BOE
The parents of a former Farragut High School student who committed suicide in April 2017 have filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful death naming Knox County Schools, Knox County Board of Education, Knox County, and specifically named Farragut High School administrators and teachers as defendants, according to court documents.
Candace C. Bannister and Mark Bannister, parents of Andrew Williams “Will” Bannister, filed the suit April 16 in Knox County Circuit Court on their son’s behalf, and are listed on the lawsuit as Will’s co-administrators ad litem.
Specific defendants named in the suit from FHS are principal Ryan Siebe; assistant principals Kim Gray and Anthony Norris; teacher Erin Ashe. Brian H. Hartsell, identified in the suit as the disciplinary hearing authority for KCS for the 2016-17 school year, also is a defendant.
Among charges listed in the lawsuit are allegatopms the student was denied due process and his constitutional rights were violated during a series of events occurring in the months leading up to his death.
It also alleges school officials knew of Will’s thoughts of self harm, but did not alert his parents or appropriate authorities.
The Bannisters have requested damages be awarded in an amount not to exceed $2 million, and also have asked for a jury trial.
