By Kevin Welch and Shelby Vogel (KFDA)
A lawsuit filed in federal court is asking for financial penalties from Perryton ISD and former athletic director Cole Underwood for ongoing sexual misconduct.
The father of the teen victim filed the suit saying it was well known at the district and Underwood’s former district, Amarillo ISD, that he had inappropriate relationships with minor female students.
The suit claims Underwood regularly used social media platforms to communicate with students, as well as posting and appearing on social media platforms with female student athletes.
According to the lawsuit, Underwood received complaints about his behavior and was placed on temporary administrative leave due to allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor female student at Amarillo ISD.
The lawsuit says, despite written policies by Perryton ISD that prohibit teachers from communicating with students directly, the school failed to implement, instruct and follow such policies.
Multiple students, staff and community members complained to Perryton ISD about the suspected relationship between Underwood and the student.
The suit says the abuse went on for months and that the girl had the right to be protected from it.
In March of 2024, Perryton ISD directed Underwood to not be alone with the student or any other female student athletes. The lawsuit says that the victim’s parents were not notified by school administration of this.
