DO WE HAVE ENOUGH $$ TO SETTLE STUDENT SEX ABUSE CLAIMS? * 06-29-22 * CHICO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Question: Does Chico Unified School District keep enough $$ in it's reserve account to pay for the unbelievable amount of legal actions that come through at each School Board meeting at closed session?

There are always open legal actions. Many seem to be related to the UNBELIEVABLY HIGH % of kids on IEP (Individualized Education Plans) for qualified disabilities. TWENTY %. Enough kids to fit into ONE of our two high schools (almost 2,000 kids). Apparently, if a student isn't accommodated for their disability(s), or there is some other abuse or administrative screwup, the parent takes legal action and typically we hear the settlement after closed session ($$ is put in a trust account for that student's health treatments or whatever was settled behind closed doors). It happens at least once a month.

AND, THIS YEAR THERE IS A HUGE LAWSUIT THAT WAS FILED AGAINST CUSD FOR A JUNIOR HIGH TEACHER WHO WAS CONVICTED FOR SEXUALLY ABUSING TWO STUDENTS. THAT CASE RESULTED IN THE TEACHER BEING THROWN IN JAIL, AND NOW THE STUDENTS ARE SUING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BECAUSE THEY KNEW ABOUT IT, AND DID NOTHING TO STOP IT.

SO MY QUESTION THIS NIGHT AT THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING:

DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH $$ IN RESERVES WITH THIS PARTICULAR LAWSUIT PENDING? I WASN'T REALLY TRYING TO ASK A SERIOUS QUESTION BECAUSE I WAS SURE THEY HAD COVERAGE... BUT I WANTED TO EXPOSE THIS ON THE PUBLIC RECORD SO I COULD HAVE THIS CLIP TO PUSH OUT AND SHOW WHAT THIS SUPERINTENDENT AND HER ADMINISTRATION HAVE BEEN DOING THAT IS CAUSE FOR DISMISSAL (IN MY HUMBLE OPINION).

https://fox5sandiego.com/business/press-releases/cision/20220517LA61224/second-victim-sues-chico-unified-school-district-for-alleged-sexual-abuse-by-previously-convicted-teacher-jennifer-smith/