Two families have started a civil case against the Lewiston School District, saying a high school coach “produced sexual abuse material” of numerous students.

The Aug. 18 tort claim says district and Lewiston High School officials “failed to have proper policies and procedures in effect to protect its students, including those most vulnerable.” The claim also says district and school officials “negligently” hired and retained Ty Lewis, who worked as an assistant football coach at Lewiston High.

Lewis is in Nez Perce County jail, facing multiple felony charges of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. He has not entered a plea.

A tort claim is not a civil lawsuit, but it is a necessary precursor to a lawsuit. It was filed on behalf of two students — identified as John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 — and their parents, also unnamed.

The tort claim mirrors the criminal charges against Lewis, 19.

According to the tort claim, Lewis used his coaching position to “send, take, produce and/or make child pornography” of John Doe #1 and John Doe #2.

The claim lists several potential defendants: the high school and the district, school Principal David Kronenmann and head football coach Zane Hobert.

“There were gaps in policies and procedures as to students and student-athletes, including, without limitation, the allowance of football coaches to develop personal relationships with student-athletes,” the tort claim says.

The claim also says Lewis’ suspicious behavior “was allowed to continue” because school and district officials failed to report it in a timely manner.

The families are seeking damages of at least $25 million.

Superintendent Tim Sperber denied claims against the district.

“The district intends to vigorously defend itself and its employees against these claims,” Sperber said in a statement to EdNews. “Out of respect for the parties and the legal process, we have no further comment at this time other than to make clear that the district remains dedicated to the health, safety, and well-being of its students.”

While the civil case is just beginning, Lewis is scheduled to appear in criminal court on Sept. 29. He is likely to enter a plea at that time, Nez Perce County Deputy Prosecutor April Smith told EdNews in an email.

According to a July 20 court filing, the parties have mediated the criminal complaint, reaching an agreement. The document offers no details on an agreement.

Lewis faces five felony charges of sexual exploitation of a child and sexual abuse of a child. According to one criminal complaint, Lewis solicited graphic photographs from students for his own sexual gratification.

Lewis was first arrested in February on a charge of sexual abuse of a child under 16, with additional charges filed in May. In June, a grand jury issued a five-count indictment, incorporating the previous charges.

Authorities executed a search warrant in April, scouring Lewis’ phone and Snapchat account, according to a Lewiston Tribune report on the May arrest. Before this arrest, investigators spoke to several other juveniles, identifying a possible pattern of grooming behavior, the Tribune reported.

Meanwhile, Lewis is in jail on a $500,000 bond.