Horry County Schools offers $125,000 to settle Title IX lawsuit | Myrtle Beach News

MYRTLE BEACH – Horry County Schools has offered to pay $125,000 to settle a lawsuit filed last year by parents who accused a Socastee High School special education teacher of sexually abusing their son.

The student's parents alleged that Rachel Gray, a former teacher and volleyball coach, groomed, sexually assaulted and molested their son, who was identified as “John Doe,” court records show.

The son was 15-16 years old and a student in Gray's class at the time, court records show. The parents, identified as “Mother and Father Doe,” filed suit alleging gross negligence, negligent supervision and placement, and violations of Title IX.

The parents recently filed a new petition in court, asking that a judge approve a $125,000 settlement they reached with the school district.

“The parents understandably decided to settle now rather than subject their child and family to the hassle of a trial,” said Joshua Slavin, the family's attorney. “Fortunately, we were able to persuade the school's insurance company to make us a reasonable, fair settlement offer that we were able to accept.”

Lisa Thomas, the school district's attorney, could not be reached for comment.

“The defendant denies any liability and the settlement does not constitute an admission of guilt,” the petition states.

Gray was identified in the original lawsuit, but she was not named as a defendant and was not charged with a crime. Gray's attorney, Gene Connell, has denied all allegations against her. District officials have confirmed that Gray resigned on April 18, 2023, after working for Horry County Schools since 2016.

The settlement agreement states that Horry County Schools will pay $125,000 through its insurance, while parents will accept the amount and release the school district from any current or future litigation related to the alleged events described in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleged that Gray gave John Doe preferential treatment by doing his homework, inflating his grades, making him sleep in class and sending him personal messages through Snapchat, a social media app where personal messages disappear permanently unless saved by the sender or reader.