Case Studies
Systemic Failures and Inadequate Training and Policies Cause Avoidable Risk to Students and Increased School Liability
The following cases involving civil lawsuits and criminal charges demonstrate how systemic failures—whether in hiring, responding to complaints, investigating, or training staff—put students at risk of experiencing abuse, harassment, and other serious misconduct.
For K-12 schools, actual knowledge by any employee of the alleged misconduct and deliberate indifference in the response can lead to significant civil liability and reputational harm. Campus Integrity Group can help create a safer school community and minimize risk by implementing policies and training staff to ensure complaints receive a prompt response and impartial investigation.
Washington Township, Indiana – Lawsuit Filed
Four former students sued the district for failing to act on years of complaints about a teacher's inappropriate conduct. Despite concerns dating back to 2014, the teacher remained employed until 2020. Allegations included negligent hiring and mishandling complaints.
Takeaway: Ignoring known issues can result in legal action, financial consequences, and erosion of community trust.
CIVIL LAWSUIT EXAMPLES
Seattle Public Schools – $3 million settlement
A student sexually abused over three years by a coach received a $3 million settlement. The coach lied on her application, and district officials failed to catch or act on prior misconduct. Repeated boundary violations were overlooked, and staff concerns were dismissed.
Takeaway: Proper vetting, documentation, and reporting are essential. Dismissing staff concerns or ignoring known risks leads to harm and liability.
Riverside Unified School District - $13.7 million settlement
Ten students alleged ongoing sexual abuse over a period of years by an aide who was sentenced to 20+ years in prison. The elementary aged students alleged that several employees were aware of complaints but nothing was done and that he was not properly screened when hired.
Takeaway: Abuse can continue for years and impact numerous victims when schools don’t have a culture of accountability, adequate training, and policies in place.
Boulder Valley School District – $1.26 million settlement
Two students sued after years of alleged harassment and administrative failures. The district settled for $1.26 million and agreed to mandatory Title IX training, consent education, and more.
Takeaway: Longstanding cultural issues and administrative inaction demand systemic reform. Proactive education and compliance can prevent future incidents and legal exposure.
Lucia Mar Unified School District - $10 million settlement
A 9-year-old special needs student was repeatedly abused by a bus driver who later pled guilty to two counts of sexual abuse and was sentenced to 16 years. The bus driver had a previous disqualifying conviction so his application was initially rejected, but he was still hired three months later.
Takeaway: Comprehensive background checks are important, but other policies and procedures are needed to prevent known criminals from becoming employees.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools – Ongoing Federal Suit
A student reported being raped by another student in 2016. The school resource office delayed taking action for four months, did not discipline the alleged perpetrator, and allegedly ignored years of prior harassment. Staff encouraged the student victim to “ignore the boys.”
Takeaway: Delayed or dismissive responses to reports of sexual misconduct can cause trauma and lead to significant liability.
Palm Beach, FL – 2024
Five staff members at Palm Beach Central High—including the principal, assistant principals, a counselor, and a teacher—were charged with felony failure to report the alleged assault of a 15-year-old student. The charges stemmed from their inaction after receiving a written report from another student who voiced concerns for the victim’s safety.
The staff admitted they chose not to report the allegation based on personal judgment. Ultimately, the charges were dropped, with prosecutors citing unclear school reporting policies as a key factor.
Takeaway: Clear policies and consistent training remove ambiguity—and can prevent further harm—when schools receive serious allegations.
CRIMINAL CASE EXAMPLES
Michigan Teacher Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse - 2025
Longtime Atherton schools music teacher David Cutting pled guilty to charges involving the sexual abuse of a female student, which began when she was 13. The abuse occurred at multiple locations, including Atherton High School, hotels, and Cutting’s home. The plea agreement includes no sentencing guidelines; prosecutors will defer to the victim's wishes regarding punishment.
Following his arrest, the district faced a wave of AirDrop threats, prompting increased security measures.
Takeaway: Abuse by trusted staff can cause both individual harm and broader disruption. Schools must be prepared to respond swiftly to protect safety and rebuild trust.
Delaware Principal Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Student - 2025
Former Newark, DE middle school principal Tasha Purnell was indicted on 19 counts of sexually abusing a child under 16 between 2010 and 2014. In May 2025, she pled guilty to three charges and is awaiting sentencing.
Although Purnell was removed from the school when the investigation began, the district did not inform families of the indictment—and it remained undisclosed to the public—for nearly 11 months.
Takeaway: While schools must comply with applicable privacy laws, timely and transparent communication with the school community builds trust and can encourage other victims or witnesses to come forward.
Illinois Special Ed Teacher Facing More Extensive Criminal Abuse Charges - 2025
Christina Formella, a teacher and coach in Downers Grove, IL, has been charged with more than 50 counts of aggravated sexual abuse, assault, grooming, and solicitation of a child. The misconduct occurred on school property, in her home, and through electronic communication.
The investigation began after the child’s mother discovered inappropriate messages on her child’s phone.
Takeaway: Abuse often starts subtly—through private sessions, messaging, and after-hours contact—highlighting the need for vigilance in teacher-student interactions. Training parents (along with staff) is a critical component in a school’s prevention efforts.
Several Oregon School Staff Charged
In 2019, St. Helens teacher and coach Kyle Wroblewski pled guilty to sexually abusing a 17-year-old student and was sentenced to over 4 years. The district later settled a $3.5 million lawsuit amid claims it ignored red flags since 2005.
In 2024, a former student’s social media posts citing Wroblewski’s case led to a police investigation. Two additional teachers were indicted for sexually touching nine students, and the principal was charged with failing to report allegations.
Takeaway: When schools dismiss red flags or student reports, abuse can persist—exposing a broader culture of silence. Building accountability and compliance is essential to protect students and prevent systemic failures.
National City, CA - 2025
Teacher of the Year Jacqueline Ma pled guilty to multiple charges—two counts of forcible lewd acts on a child, one count of a lewd act on a child, and possession of child sexual abuse material. Ma admitted to grooming and sexually abusing two students, aged 11 and 12, for more than a year.
She groomed both boys by offering them gifts and special attention, communicated with them electronically and exchanged lewd photos with them, and used her reputation to gain the trust of the boys’ parents.
Takeaway: Even trusted teachers can commit abuse, often hidden by the confidence they've earned from schools and families. Strong school policies and training can help detect grooming behaviors, allowing schools to investigate before the misconduct escalates.