Upper St. Clair School District officials have defended their actions in a rape case that triggered a federal court lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed Monday by an Upper St. Clair High School student who says she was raped Feb. 4 at school by a freshman boy who previously had sexually assaulted her at school and whom she previously had reported to school officials. The district, according to the girl's lawsuit, failed to provide adequate security and protect her from her assailant.

Yesterday, district officials said they acted appropriately in the case.

"The district responded immediately when it was apprised of the nature of the allegations being made by students that are referred to in the complaint," they said in a prepared statement. "Based on its prior and continuing investigation and review of the complaint, the district will actively defend the claims made in the lawsuit."

The district's lawyer, Tony Sanchez, did not return a call.