Former Student Sues School District Over Repeated Sexual Assault

Lawsuit claims Sequoia Union High School District and volleyball club ignored multiple reports of coach's misconduct.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 11:41pm

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A former Woodside High School student has filed a lawsuit against the Sequoia Union High School District and the Academy of Volleyball, alleging that they failed to protect her from repeated sexual assaults by a former volleyball coach, Thomas Feng. The lawsuit claims that despite multiple reports of Feng's inappropriate behavior and relationship with the underage student, the school district and volleyball club dismissed the complaints and allowed the abuse to continue.

Why it matters

This case highlights the critical importance of school districts and extracurricular organizations taking immediate and decisive action when allegations of sexual misconduct are brought to their attention. Failure to properly investigate and address such reports can lead to further victimization of students and undermine trust in the institutions meant to protect them.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Feng, a 26-year-old former Woodside High School volleyball coach, began a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student during the 2022-2023 school year. The lawsuit alleges that Feng used his position to groom and sexually assault the student multiple times on school grounds and at school events. The complaint claims that both the Sequoia Union High School District and the Academy of Volleyball were aware of Feng's misconduct but failed to notify law enforcement or take adequate action to protect the student. The lawsuit further alleges that the school administration dismissed complaints about the inappropriate relationship as rumors, and the Academy of Volleyball's director and staff only spoke to Feng about respecting coach-player boundaries without reporting the behavior to authorities.

  • The alleged sexual abuse began when the student was 15 years old during the 2022-2023 school year.
  • Feng was arrested in late February 2026.

The players

Thomas Feng

A 26-year-old former Woodside High School volleyball coach who is facing a lawsuit and felony sexual assault charges for having an inappropriate relationship with an underage student.

Sequoia Union High School District

The school district that allegedly ignored multiple reports of the coach's sexual misconduct and failed to protect the student.

Academy of Volleyball

A volleyball club in the North Fair Oaks area that allegedly was aware of the coach's inappropriate behavior but failed to report it to authorities or take adequate action.

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What they’re saying

“We are seeking justice for our client and working to ensure no other student suffers under this district's watch.”

— Lauren Cerri, Attorney

“By dismissing complaints, the District prioritized its reputation over the safety of the students, leaving Feng in a position to do more harm.”

— Lauren Cerri, Attorney

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical need for school districts and extracurricular organizations to have robust policies and procedures in place to promptly investigate and address any allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors. Failure to do so can lead to further victimization of students and undermine public trust in these institutions.