Lawsuit: Sequoia Union High School District Ignored Warnings of Coach’s Alleged Sexual Misconduct

SAN JOSE, CA – March 13, 2026 – The Sequoia Union High School District and a prominent Bay Area youth volleyball club are facing a lawsuit alleging they repeatedly ignored warnings about a coach’s inappropriate behavior, enabling him to sexually assault a student. The civil complaint, filed by the law firm Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, claims that both the school district and the Academy of Volleyball, Inc., were negligent in their supervision of former Woodside High School volleyball coach Thomas Feng, who now faces separate felony criminal charges.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a former Woodside student, identified as Jane Doe, who was allegedly assaulted numerous times by Feng during the 2022-2023 school year when she was 15 years old. The complaint asserts that these assaults occurred on school grounds and during school-sanctioned events, places where the student should have been safest. As of this report, neither the Sequoia Union High School District nor the Academy of Volleyball have responded to requests for comment on the allegations.

A Pattern of Dismissed Complaints

The lawsuit paints a troubling picture of institutional inaction, alleging that multiple officials were alerted to Feng’s misconduct but failed to intervene or report the behavior to law enforcement. According to the complaint, Woodside High School administration received at least two separate anonymous complaints regarding an inappropriate relationship between Feng and the student.

Following the first complaint, the lawsuit claims, the school’s vice principals, nurse, and athletic director called the underage student into a meeting. Instead of launching a formal investigation or implementing protective measures, the administrators allegedly dismissed the complaint as a rumor. The lawsuit states that no further action was taken to increase supervision of Feng or to remove him from his coaching position. A second anonymous complaint was also reportedly dismissed, leaving the coach in his position of authority over students.

“By dismissing complaints, the District prioritized its reputation over the safety of the students, leaving Feng in a position to do more harm,” attorney Lauren Cerri of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard said in a statement. “We are seeking justice for our client and working to ensure no other student suffers under this district's watch.”

The Academy of Volleyball, Inc., where Feng also coached and the student played, is also accused of failing to act decisively. The complaint alleges that the club’s director and other staff members were aware of concerns surrounding Feng’s behavior. While they reportedly spoke to Feng about respecting coach-player boundaries, the lawsuit contends they failed to repudiate his predatory conduct or report the matter to the proper authorities for a formal investigation, as is often required by national youth sports safety standards.

Criminal Charges and District Policies

The civil lawsuit runs parallel to a criminal case against Thomas Feng. The 26-year-old Fremont resident was arrested on February 26, 2026, and charged by the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office with felony sexual assault of a person under 18. The arrest came after the former student filed a police report with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office in June 2025, setting in motion the investigation that led to an arrest warrant being issued in late January 2026. Feng was released after posting $25,000 bail and is scheduled for arraignment later this month.

The allegations of inaction detailed in the lawsuit stand in stark contrast to the Sequoia Union High School District’s own official policies. The district maintains a “Mandated Reporting” policy, which legally requires all employees to report any reasonable suspicion of child abuse to authorities and explicitly states that employees should not conduct their own investigations. Furthermore, the district’s Sexual Harassment Policy outlines a clear procedure for students to report misconduct, requiring any staff member who receives a complaint to document and report it to a principal or designee within 24 hours. The lawsuit alleges a fundamental failure to adhere to these written protocols.

Scrutiny on Institutional Accountability

The case against the school district and volleyball academy highlights a growing focus on institutional accountability and child protection within educational and athletic programs. This lawsuit is one of a recent string of high-profile school-accountability claims on the Peninsula, placing a spotlight on how districts supervise staff and handle sensitive complaints.

National youth sports organizations like USA Volleyball have implemented stringent “SafeSport” and “Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies” (MAAPP) that include zero-tolerance rules for abuse and mandate the immediate reporting of any sexual misconduct allegations to law enforcement. The lawsuit suggests the Academy of Volleyball, Inc. failed to meet these widely accepted best practices for athlete safety.

The legal proceedings will examine not only the alleged actions of the former coach but also the culture and procedures in place at the institutions responsible for student welfare. For parents, educators, and administrators, the case raises urgent questions about the effectiveness of current safety protocols and the unwavering responsibility of institutions to protect the children in their care. As both the civil and criminal cases move forward, they will be closely watched for their potential impact on future policies and legal standards governing minor safety in schools and sports across the state.