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School board reports $1.6 million settlement in decades-old abuse claims
Summary
The Mountain View Whisman School District reported approval of a closed-session settlement resolving two molestation claims by former students; the district will pay $800,000 to each claimant, for a total of $1,600,000.
The Mountain View Whisman School District disclosed after closed session on May 29 that it approved a settlement resolving two molestation claims brought by former students against the district.
According to the board’s report, the district agreed to pay $800,000 to each claimant, for a total settlement of $1,600,000. The matter was described in board comments as disputed; the district’s announcement said the settlement “includes all costs and any attorney” fees related to the claims.
The incident underlying the claims dates to roughly 50 years ago, and the case identified in the board report is Rose v. Mountain View Westman School District, Stephen Myers, Santa Cruz County Superior Court case number 22CV02834. The district said the agreement recognizes the matter is disputed but allows the district to “focus fully on its mission, serving our current students.”
Superintendent Rebecca Barron told the board the district has strengthened student protections since the time of the alleged incidents, including “enhanced supervision policies, mandated staff and volunteer training, and robust reporting procedures.” No further legal details or the text of the settlement were released at the board meeting.
The settlement was reported as action taken during closed session; the board did not take additional public action on the matter at the meeting.
The district’s announcement said the board “deeply acknowledges the courage of the individuals who’ve come forward.”
