The Duxbury Public School District said in a statement that an independent investigation found that a teacher and coach had violated the school’s sexual harassment policy and code of conduct. The district responded after a lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Plymouth Superior Court.
The allegations are against Duxbury Middle School gym teacher, John Blake. He was the boys’ hockey coach for the high school varsity team.
The school district says Blake has been on leave since November 2020 pending the completion of an external investigation and termination proceedings. WATD called Blake for comment on the allegations.
Joseph and Melissa Foley, the parents of former student Parker Foley, filed a lawsuit in Plymouth Superior Court on Tuesday. In the complaint, they allege Parker was sexually assaulted and raped by Blake, who was his middle school gym teacher in 2006. His parents say the incidents took place in empty classrooms.
Parker’s parents say the abuse led to a drug addiction, he died of an overdose in late 2020. After his death, a handwritten note was found in his apartment detailing the sexual assault. Parker had told a high school classmate and college girlfriend about the abuse.
The complaint said the assaults ended when Parker brought a knife to school and threatened to kill Blake if he ever touched him again.
Two years ago, Foley shared details with his parents, but insisted that they not report it to the school or police. His father submitted an anonymous tip to the schools, but school officials said Tuesday that investigation went cold with no identifying information about the student. Blake was placed on leave and was reinstated.
In 2020, a lawyer for the Foley family came forward with specific allegations, and Blake was placed on leave again. The Duxbury school district said in a statement Tuesday there was not enough evidence to warrant criminal charges. Their independent investigation found that Blake had violated the district’s sexual harassment policy and code of conduct.
The Duxbury Schools said anyone with information regarding the case should contact Duxbury Police or can submit an anonymous tip to 781-285-7184.
The statement from the Duxbury Public Schools can be found here.
The lawsuit can be found here.
