Former Lorain Schools administrator sued for sexual harassment

A high school teacher is suing a former Lorain Schools employee and the district's school board for alleged sexual harassment. The woman, who filed the suit as Jane Doe to protect her identity, is seeking compensation for lost wages and mental anguish after alleged sexual harassment by former Director of Student and Family Outreach Jrayene "Jay" Nimene. Her filing alleges Nimene began a pattern of sexual harassment against her in January 2019, including attempting to expose her breasts and kiss her while in her classroom. She said in the suit that she told a security guard about the matter, seeking his advice. The security guard allegedly sent Nimene a text message telling him to stop, according to the lawsuit. Despite that, Nimene reportedly continued to visit the woman's classroom and started to FaceTime her, demanding nude videos of her, she alleged in the suit. The woman also said in the suit that Nimene threatened that if she did not remain silent, his friend, former CEO David Hardy Jr., would protect him and she could face disciplinary actions. Fearing retaliation, she did not report Nimene while Hardy was CEO, according to the filing. In July 2019, Doe applied for dean of academics. Nimene reportedly offered to help her prepare for an interview and came to her home. The filing alleges Nimene began touching her and later asked to use the bathroom but claimed he was unable to find it. She got up to show him where the bathroom was and as she returned to the couch where they were sitting, he allegedly grabbed her from behind and began masturbating behind her, according to the lawsuit. She yelled at him to let her go and he ejaculated on her dress and lower back, according to the filing. During the interview for the dean of academics position that next day, Doe said in the suit that Nimene intimidated her by leering at her as she responded to a panel's questions, resulting in her poor performance during the interview which she states cost her the job. He later attempted to grope her while traveling home from a seminar, she said in the suit. After Hardy's resignation, Doe reported Nimene's conduct to the district's human resources department on Dec. 23, 2019. An investigation found she had been sexually harassed, according to the filing. School Board President Mark Ballard declined to comment on the case. Nimene could not be reached for comment Friday evening. Nimene resigned from Lorain Schools, effective May 1. He now works as student and family support coordinator at Oberlin Schools. Oberlin Superintendent David Hall did not return a request for comment. It is unclear if Oberlin Schools officials were aware of the investigation into Nimene at his previous district. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.