The father of a Hilton Central School District student says he plans to sue the district following the arrest of the Northwood Elementary principal who is accused of abusing at least 11 elementary school children.

Kirk Ashton was indicted last month on multiple counts of sexual abuse and child endangerment.

According to a notice of claim filed by attorney Jeffrey Wicks, Ashton began abusing the boy in the fall of 2017 when he was in second grade. The abuse is alleged to have continued through this school year.

The claim states Ashton would invite the boy to his office where the two would have lunch while the victim sat on Ashton's lap. According to the claim, Ashton would then touch and caress the boy in inappropriate ways.

Ashton, who has been suspended from the district, is being held in the Niagara County Jail. 

Attorney Jeffrey Wicks had no comment on the notice of claim.

The school district issued this statement on Wednesday when asked for comment:

"We have not yet received the notice of claim and cannot comment on potential litigation."

—Grace R. Scism, Director of Communications, Hilton CSD

In a virtual arraignment last month, Ashton pleaded not guilty to the 25 counts in the indictment.