Posted on 06/28/2009 10:09:00 PM PDT by Libloather
Student Awarded $1.25M For Relationship With Teacher
UPDATED: 9:50 pm PDT June 26, 2009
SAN DIEGO -- A jury awarded $1.25 million to a former student at the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Paradise Hills because they found that the principal and others failed to report a sexual relationship between the student and her teacher.
Teacher John Kyujoon Lee pleaded guilty to statutory rape back in 2007. But now, the San Diego Unified School District must pay for its role in allowing the sexual relationship between Lee and a former student to go on for nearly three years.
Attorney John Gomez is hoping school districts across San Diego County start changing the way they handle sexual abuse. "School districts do next to nothing to prevent it, [or] to train teachers," he said.
On Monday, Gomez's client, the former School for Creative and Performing Arts student, won a civil suit against both the San Diego Unified School District and Lee. Lee and the student began a sexual relationship her sophmore year.
"She was a very young, naïve, somewhat nerdy kid and was lured into an adult sexual relationship," said Gomez.
The relationship continued until the student graduated in 2006.
Though Lee pleaded guilty to statutory rape and other sex-related charges in 2007, Gomez said the school and district needed to share in the responsibility.
"The two of them had been seen alone in his vehicle. The two of them had been seen alone in his classroom in what was described as a public display of affection," Gomez said. "Kids had gone to the administration complaining about the two of them."
Nothing was ever done, Gomez said. The jury agreed and awarded the student $1.25 million. Gomez said the case was not about the money but rather the message it sends.
"These teachers need a reality check," Gomez said. "And also they need to know that if they suspect anything at all they don't stand around the water cooler talking about it -- they go to the police, they go to CPS, they do the right thing."
The mother of the student said she was too overwhelmed and emotional to talk on camera.
The school district's attorney said they are disappointed with the verdict and deny any teachers or administrators ever knew about the relationship. They are now considering an appeal.
Yep, she should've known what rape was all about.
This is absurd payout
I guess she wasn’t paying attention in the Sex Ed. classes. Maybe the cucumber threw her off. Oh well, the taxpayers probably don’t mind picking up the tab. No wonder the education cost per student in the U.S. is so high.
And the administration did do nothing about it, then I think there is definately a level of culpability for the district here. Being alone in a vehicle doesn't prove much, but reports of them being alone displaying affection in a classroom??? That gets reported to the administration and nothing is done? I think if that's true you definately have culpability.
Sitting by while you know a crime is happening definately creates a problem.
so now they’ve made her a whore.
On the one hand, there is no doubt the teacher took advantage of a young girl, but it is purely bullshit when Gomez the lawyer says “it’s not about the money” ($1.25mln).
“School districts do next to nothing to prevent it, [or] TO TRAIN TEACHERS”
HAHAHA, training, I thought it was as easy as just don’t do it. Ah, never mind, thats too simplistic.
The monetary figure is necessary to punish an entity with as much sheer cash as the school district. I will concede that, whatever the damage, just giving raw cash to the victim is inappropriate and will likely cause her even more problems.
Maybe some jail time will help with the comprehension part of a teacher's responsibility to their students.
In defense of teachers, it's pretty easy to be accused of misconduct, not that I know anyone who has been...but that's why some folks forego closing off their office windows; it's distracting to have all the "hall traffic" going by and peering in, but there's no chance of being falsely accused of misconduct when anyone can see in anytime!
Of course, that's not quite the case here, apparently...these incidents were obviously viewed, and compromising...but was the student also "displaying affection"?? That would make a small difference. and I doubt the 1.5 MILLION dollar settlement was assessed to the errant teacher's personal "wealth".
I wonder if the student ended up graduating? Going on to college?
I guess this would be the place to say "tort reform"...good luck with that! But it's disgusting, and so unfair to all the good teachers and students out there to have these deadbeats cost the taxpayers this completely wasted and unnecessary lawsuit money.
The article said — “These teachers need a reality check,” Gomez said. “And also they need to know that if they suspect anything at all they don’t stand around the water cooler talking about it — they go to the police, they go to CPS, they do the right thing.”
—
Ah yes... the mentality of the Obama Administration. We’re all supposed to be turning in our neighbors for everything that we suspect, true or not, rumor or not — just send all the allegations and rumors to Obama, care of the White House and he’ll take care of the culprits, all right... LOL...
You asked — I wonder if the student ended up graduating? Going on to college?
—
Well, she has enough money now for a private tutor and all the money she needs for the best college... :-)
You said — HAHAHA, training, I thought it was as easy as just don’t do it. Ah, never mind, thats too simplistic.
—
Yeah.... “don’t screw around with the kids...”
That should do it..., huh? :-)
[... no, I mean really, that “should” do it... shouldn’t it? ...]
One would think, but don’t forget we have to take empathy into account now. The students feelings. The teacher’s feelings. The admin’s feelings.
Oh yeah...
I FEEL GOOD
James Brown
Whoa-oa-oa! I feel good, I knew that I would, now
I feel good, I knew that I would, now
So good, so good, I got you
Whoa! I feel nice, like sugar and spice
I feel nice, like sugar and spice
So nice, so nice, I got you
{ sax, two licks to bridge }
When I hold you in my arms
I know that I can’t do no wrong
and when I hold you in my arms
My love won’t do you no harm
and I feel nice, like sugar and spice
I feel nice, like sugar and spice
So nice, so nice, I got you
{ sax, two licks to bridge }
When I hold you in my arms
I know that I can’t do no wrong
and when I hold you in my arms
My love can’t do me no harm
and I feel nice, like sugar and spice
I feel nice, like sugar and spice
So nice, so nice, I got you
Whoa! I feel good, I knew that I would, now
I feel good, I knew that I would
So good, so good, I got you
So good, so good, I got you
So good, so good, I got you
HEY!!
That should do it... (on the other hand, was that what the teacher was saying? ... :-) ...)
To the plaintiff - make sure the check is certified funds. This is CA, it could bounce!
You said — To the plaintiff - make sure the check is certified funds. This is CA, it could bounce!
—
Uhhh... yeah!
But, let me tell you... these days, that doesn’t even make a difference any more. They can come back in and take the money back after 60 days or so, if they want. Banks have done it to other people.
The best way is to get it cashed and remove it out of an account (physically) so that it’s not “transferred” (the transfer can be undone, and the receiving bank can have a “hold” in it for a while, too...).
Why is the school paying out instead of the guy who commited the act????
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