> I would hire a private lawyer if I were one of those two teachers <
Yep. As you noted, the union won’t help. Most of them are in bed with administration these days. It’s all about PR.
Quick story:
I’m a retired high school teacher. One day a colleague of mine sent a violent and disruptive student to the principal. The principal sent the student right back to class. The student then attacked my colleague. She was badly injured, and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance.
The school district issued a press release: One of our teachers fell in the hallway and hurt herself. (!)
The teacher got a lawyer, sued the district, and won.
The taxpayers had to pay the settlement. The trash administrators are never held accountable.
Ditto:
My husband said at his school one of the teachers was attacked by a known violent student after school - she was older and knew the routine - no help from admin, school district or union.
She hired a private attorney and won $10,000 - I’m sure there was an NDA involved b/c nothing was ever mentioned. She said the $$ paid for her new driveway (she was seriously injured and spent time in the hospital).