The Moraga sex abuse scandal from the 90s has finally been settled for $2.85 million according to a press release from the Moraga School District. Other Moraga sex abuse lawsuits are pending.
From the Moraga school district:
The insurance company for the Moraga School District has reached a negotiated settlement in a lawsuit arising out of the sexual abuse of a student in the 1990s. As part of the settlement, the lawsuit brought by Kristen Cunnane against the district and three former administrators will be dismissed.
Under the terms of the settlement, the district’s insurer will pay Ms. Cunnane $2.85 million. These funds will not come from the district’s general fund and will not impact operations at district schools. The settlement amount was reached through discussions between attorneys for the district’s insurer and attorneys for Ms. Cunnane.
“First and foremost, we want to again apologize to Ms. Cunnane and to her family for the abuse she suffered as a child and for the pain it has caused,” said Bruce Burns, district superintendent. “It is our hope that this settlement will help Ms. Cunnane continue to heal, and allow the district to continue working to educate and protect the children entrusted to us.”
The Moraga School District has strengthened its student safeguards, enacting a policy that goes beyond state law requirements. It recently has overhauled its training of teachers and other employees, working with the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Contra Costa County (CAPC) to implement updated, uniform instruction. In January, the district teamed with neighboring districts in Lafayette and Orinda to fund a full-time educator at the CAPC who will teach a safety program to students and parents in the three districts.
“We understand that protecting our students has to be our highest priority,” Burns said. “We are committed to providing our community’s children an excellent education in a safe environment.”
Three other lawsuits arising from sexual abuse by a former teacher in the 1990s are pending. The district continues to hope for and work toward a negotiated agreement in these cases.