News : Humboldt Superintendent Jim Murray Accused of Covering Up Teacher’s Abuse

Former Vinon-Shellsburg Principal at Tilford Elementary, Jim Murray, was named Iowa Elementary Principal of the Year in 2017. In 2018, the school was named a National Blue Ribbon School Award winner under his leadership. He moved on to begin serving as the Superintendent of the Humboldt Community School District in 2020. 

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In a lawsuit claims are made that Humboldt Community School District Superintendent Jim Murray, knew a middle school teacher was sexually exploiting a 14-year-old student — but instead of alerting police, he allegedly told staff to stay quiet. The claim accuses Murray and the district of turning a blind eye to teacher Samantha Meyer-Davis’s abuse and working to conceal it rather than protect the child.

Meyer-Davis, of Rutland, was sentenced in federal court on October 6 to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually exploiting a student between May 2022 and November 2023. Prosecutors said she sent and received more than 130 explicit photos and 60 videos from the victim.

According to the lawsuit, district officials were aware of the misconduct as early as the fall of 2022 and were even provided with photographic evidence of the relationship. Instead of calling law enforcement, the complaint says, Murray instructed school staff not to report the abuse or open a formal investigation.

Murray allegedly directed staff to handle it internally by confronting Meyer-Davis and asking her to stop communicating with the student — an order she refused. Rather than escalating the matter, the lawsuit claims, Murray then told staff to inform the student’s parents only that there was a “rumor” about the teacher.

It wasn’t until the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation became involved nearly a year later, in September 2023, that law enforcement uncovered evidence of the sexual exploitation. Meyer-Davis was finally placed on paid leave after search warrants were executed that November.

The suit accuses Murray and the district of gross negligence, cover-up, and emotional harm to the victim and family, and demands a jury trial.

Meanwhile, Meyer-Davis remains in federal custody and has been ordered to pay $13,243.67 in restitution to the victim.

Helping Keep Children Safe 

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide effort created by the U.S. Department of Justice to help protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The program brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to identify and stop those who harm children — and, most importantly, to rescue and support victims.

Parents can find helpful tips and tools for keeping kids safe on the internet through the Project Safe Childhood website at www.usdoj.gov/psc

. Click on the “resources” tab for practical information about online safety, recognizing warning signs, and how to report suspicious activity.

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The suit, filed October 7 in Humboldt County, by the law firm Hutchinson Law Firm, PLC, based in West Des Moines was filed by attorney Jordan R. Hutchinson of that firm.