From the Moraga School District:
A former student of Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School has filed a claim against the Moraga School District, seeking damages for sexual abuse by former teacher Dan Witters in the early 1990s.
This is the fifth claim related to sexual abuse of Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School students in the early and mid-1990s. An insurance provider for the district settled four related lawsuits in 2013 and 2014.
Government tort claims such as this typically are a precursor to the filing of a lawsuit. The claim has been turned over to an insurance company that provided coverage during this period, and to an insurance JPA of which the district is a member. These entities bear primary responsibility for and control over the legal response. The district cannot comment publicly on this or any matter of pending litigation.
The board and leadership of today’s Moraga School District are committed to vigilantly protecting the children entrusted to our care, and we have taken important steps to ensure our schools are safe places where our community’s children receive an excellent education. Since 2013, we have trained every employee annually on his or her duties as a mandated reporter, and we have partnered with neighboring districts and community organizations to improve student safety throughout the region. We recognize that we have no greater responsibility than the care and protection of our students.