Two former educators in Rockwall are under investigation for allegedly subjecting another student to physically demanding workout sessions as a form of punishment, resulting in hospitalization.
Rockwall High School Cheerleading Instructors Facing Lawsuit Over Exercise Routine
Parents of a Rockwall High School cheerleader have filed a lawsuit against three teachers, alleging a punishing exercise regimen led to their daughter's hospitalization due to rhabdomyolysis. The lawsuit comes in the wake of a similar case last year involving football coaches and the school district's football team.
According to the recently filed lawsuit, the teachers made the students do 50 adapted burpees during a class in October, as they were dissatisfied with the students' performance. One of the students, identified as E.H., a junior at the time, was hospitalized a week later with rhabdomyolysis.
E.H. reportedly had a physician's note excusing her from exercise due to sickness, but the teachers still required her to participate. According to the lawsuit, she had strep throat.
Despite feeling unwell during the exercise routine, E.H. was allegedly pressed to continue, with additional penalties threatened if she didn't comply.
A student incident report, mentioned in the lawsuit, states that E.H. showed signs of distress but was still encouraged to complete the exercises. Amanda Jones, an English teacher and one of the three involved, is quoted in the suit as acknowledging that E.H. shouldn't have been exercising that day.
In the days following the incident, E.H. experienced progressive muscle soreness and swelling in her arms, which worsened to the point where she couldn't lift her arms, felt fatigued, and required assistance with daily tasks. She also developed nosebleeds and blood in her urine, indicating potential kidney damage.
Rhabdomyolysis occurs when muscle tissue is damaged and releases proteins and electrolytes into the blood, which can potentially harm the kidneys. E.H.'s blood creatine kinase levels, an indicator of muscle damage, were reportedly dangerously high, necessitating IV treatments in the emergency room.
Following a six-month appeal process, the Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees is reported to have decided they lacked sufficient evidence to cover E.H.'s medical expenses.
Two teachers, Kaley Stewart and Ryleigh Valladarez, allegedly indicated during district investigations that they had no training on rhabdomyolysis, with Jones being responsible for ordering the punishments. Stewart resigned from her position in November 2024, shortly after the investigation began, while Jones and Valladarez resigned last month, a week after the investigation concluded. The teachers did not respond to requests for comment.
This is not the first time the Rockwall-Heath High School community has faced allegations of excessive punishment leading to healthcare issues. Last year, a similar incident with the school's football team resulted in the resignation of the head coach and multiple lawsuits against him. Two of these lawsuits were settled out of court. The most recent lawsuit was moved from Rockwall County to Dallas County and now exclusively represents a hospitalized football player.
The Texas Education Agency is currently investigating the football incident involving Harrell, but no further details about disciplinary actions for the cheerleading teachers beyond their resignations have been publicly disclosed.
The Rockwall ISD did not respond to requests for comment on the recent lawsuit and investigation.
- The lawsuit against the Rockwall High School cheerleading instructors highlights concerns about the role of education and self-development, as the teachers are alleged to have pushed students past their limits, leading to health-and-wellness issues.
- News about the rhabdomyolysis case involving the cheerleading team adds to the ongoing discussion about fitness-and-exercise routines in schools, raising questions about the responsibility of educators in ensuring the well-being of their students.
- The case offers a stark reminder of the importance of mental health in sports, as the pressure to perform and excel can have serious physical and psychological consequences.
- The accusations against the Rockwall High School teachers underscore the need for continued education and awareness about health-and-wellness issues in the realm of science, both for students and educators alike.
