Woman sues Ambridge schools in teacher sex case

A Beaver County woman has filed a federal lawsuit against the Ambridge school district and officials, claiming they failed to protect her daughter from being sexually assaulted by her teacher.

The lawsuit claims that David M. Costanza, who taught social studies and coached basketball at Ambridge Area High School, twice had sex with the 10th-grade student in his Baden apartment in March. Neither the girl nor her mother are being named to protect the identity of the minor.

Costanza, 28, was sentenced by a Beaver County judge in July to six months to two years in jail after pleading no contest to statuatory sexual assault for having sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl.

The lawsuit claims school officials transferred some freshmen and sophmores out of Costanza's class after being notified of inappropriate sexual references made by the teacher that led to complaints being filed with the school district. It also claims school officials were aware that Constanza gave students rides in his car, spoke to them by cell phone and exchanged text messages after school.

The lawsuit also states that it was widely believed by people at the school that Constanza had engaged in sexual activity with another female student, and that school officials should have been aware of the allegations.

The girl's mother accuses school and district officials of failing to act because Costanza's father, Charles Costanza, was president of the school board. Charles Costanza resigned after his son was charged in April.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, seeks an unspecified amount of damages. In addition to the school district, defendants are David Costanza, principal Alan Fritz and assistant principals Steve Wellendorf and Barry King.