Lawsuit Alleges Plano ISD Failed to Act on Earlier Reports Before Teacher’s Arrest

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

PLANO, Texas — A newly filed civil lawsuit alleges Plano ISD and the principal of Brinker Elementary School failed to respond appropriately to earlier reports involving former second-grade teacher Paul Campbell before his arrest on child sexual abuse charges.

The lawsuit, filed July 30, 2026, in Collin County District Court by the parents of an 8-year-old student identified in the lawsuit as “Janie Doe,” names Campbell, Plano Independent School District and Brinker Elementary Principal Jennifer King as defendants. The petition alleges Campbell sexually abused the child during the 2025-26 school year and claims school officials received earlier reports involving his alleged conduct before a student’s report led to a police investigation.

The allegations contained in the lawsuit have not been proven in court, and the defendants have not yet filed responses to the petition.

Petition Alleges Earlier Reports

According to the petition, Campbell was the child’s second-grade teacher during the 2025-26 school year. The lawsuit alleges the abuse began around Sept. 1, 2025, and continued throughout the school year in Campbell’s classroom and other locations.

The petition alleges that, before the reported abuse of the plaintiff, Principal Jennifer King received at least one report from a Brinker Elementary parent concerning inappropriate touching by Campbell involving another student. The lawsuit claims King did not notify law enforcement, increase supervision of Campbell or report the allegations to the State Board for Educator Certification after receiving that report.

The lawsuit also alleges that, while the plaintiff was allegedly being abused, another parent requested that her daughter be transferred out of Campbell’s classroom. According to the petition, the request was denied, and King allegedly did not investigate Campbell’s conduct or increase supervision afterward. The lawsuit further alleges Campbell continued teaching with access to second-grade students despite those earlier reports.

Attorney Zeke Fortenberry, who represents the family, provided TX3DNews with a copy of the filed petition but declined to answer additional questions while the litigation is pending.

Criminal Case Continues

Campbell, 64, was arrested July 8 after Plano police investigated a report of inappropriate physical contact involving a student at Brinker Elementary School.

According to jail and charging records, Campbell faces one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, a first-degree felony, and three counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact, second-degree felonies. Collin County jail records showed him in custody as of July 31.

According to the arrest affidavit, police began investigating after an 8-year-old student disclosed alleged inappropriate touching to family members during the July Fourth holiday weekend. The affidavit states that another student later reported similar conduct and told investigators she had seen Campbell touch other girls in the classroom.

Plano police have not publicly said how many students may ultimately be involved or whether the investigation extends beyond Campbell’s employment at Brinker Elementary.

Campbell has not been convicted of any crime and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Claims Against Plano ISD

The lawsuit was filed under Chapter 118 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, a 2025 law that allows certain claims against public school districts involving alleged gross negligence, recklessness or intentional misconduct in the hiring, supervision or employment of school employees accused of sexual misconduct involving students.

The plaintiffs allege Plano ISD and King failed to act on earlier reports, adequately supervise Campbell and report suspected child abuse as required under Texas law. The defendants have not yet had the opportunity to respond to those allegations in court.

District Response

Following Campbell’s arrest, Plano ISD said it was cooperating with the Plano Police Department’s investigation, described the allegations as “reprehensible,” reported the matter to the Texas Education Agency and the State Board for Educator Certification, and voted to begin the process of terminating Campbell’s employment.

The lawsuit also alleges King was placed on leave July 14, 2026. TX3DNews asked Plano ISD to confirm that information and respond to the allegations contained in the petition but had not received a response before publication.

The lawsuit seeks monetary relief exceeding $1 million, along with actual and exemplary damages, attorney’s fees, court costs, interest and other relief to be determined through the litigation.

Plano police continue asking anyone with information about Campbell, including former students who may now be adults, to contact the department’s Special Victims Unit at 972-941-2044.

The civil lawsuit and criminal case remain pending. The allegations against Campbell, Plano ISD and Jennifer King have not been proven in court, and Campbell is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.