Mo. newspaper sues school district over records

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - A southwest Missouri newspaper is suing a school district for failing to disclose how much money it paid to settle a federal lawsuit filed by a student who said she was sexually abused.

The Springfield News-Leader (http://sgfnow.co/L9UEsh ) filed the lawsuit Monday against the Republic School District. It seeks more information about a settlement paid to the girl's family to close the case in November.

School officials say they can't provide any information because a federal judge has sealed the case. Attorneys for the newspaper say Missouri law requires governmental bodies to disclose how much money they spend.

The girl and her family sued the school district in July 2011, claiming the school failed to protect her after she reported being raped multiple times over two years by a fellow student.

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Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.news-leader.com