A demand letter sent by attorney Bobi J. Frank on behalf of a client alleges that Santa Fe High School (SFHS) baseball coach and media specialist Travis Yeckring “engaged in inappropriate contact” of a sexual nature, with a female minor student.
Frank sent the notice of claim to the city of Alachua and to the School Board of Alachua County (SBAC) on May 22, saying both recipients breached their duties of care by failing to protect the claimant from Yeckring’s behavior.
The letter states that the claimant had previously reported inappropriate behavior to the school administration, and that SFHS failed to document any of the incidents, or prevent further incidents.
“City of Alachua and [SBAC], specifically SFHS knew, or should have known, of its duty to protect said minor female student from unreasonable risk and harm caused by the school administration and staff’s negligence,” Frank wrote.
Frank lists the city of Alachua and the SBAC as individuals who may be implicated in a lawsuit, also specifically naming SFHS Principal Tim Wright, Assistant Principal for Curriculum Mac Rendek, Athletic Director Michele Faulk and Yeckring.
Frank states that the breached duty of care resulted in actual monetary loss, irreparable emotional trauma, mental anguish, pain and suffering, financial damage and psychological and emotional injuries that are “still accruing.”
The letter states that the claimant is seeking the maximum allowable statutory damages amount.
A demand letter’s purpose is to start a negotiation process that could either end in dispute resolution or in litigation.
The city of Alachua’s public information officer, Kyler Burk, acknowledged receipt of the letter.
“Although we are not officially aware of a reason why the City was included on the letter, we will cooperate with any investigation,” Burk wrote in an email. “At this time, however, we cannot comment on an active investigation.”
ACPS spokesperson Jackie Johnson also declined to comment, saying the district could not respond to any of the letter’s claims, in anticipation of legal action.
Frank did not respond to a request for comment.
In March, Yeckring was placed on administrative leave, less than two weeks after Frank sent an open letter demanding removal of Thompson Sod, Inc.’s logo on behalf of her client from the SFHS campus because of a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation for multiple crimes against children.