This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Nearly 400 Cases of Alleged LAUSD Teacher Misconduct from Last 40 Years Will Be Investigated
Photo by -Marlith- via Flickr
The Los Angeles Unified School District has been doing their homework: A review of teacher misconduct allegations over the past 40 years has yielded 591 cases, according to the Pasadena Star News.LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy ordered the massive review of files in February in the wake of the Miramonte Elementary scandal centered around Mark Berndt, who is accused of engaging youngsters in a sexually explicit "tasting game" in the classroom. Deasy, Miramonte, and the LAUSD came under fire for how they handled such claims against faculty and staff.
Of the nearly 600 cases, officials with the state credentialing committee have sorted out which ones they are able to delve deeper into. Here's how the numbers break down:
Officials said 103 of the allegations had previously been reported and the agency lacked the authority to handle 122 others. That leaves 366 to be formally investigated, a number that is likely to climb as principals wrap up their work and the district transmits more files to the teacher licensing agency.
An investigation typically takes six months, so it could be years before all the over 300 cases get their formal probe. It takes a lot of manpower to do the digging, as the review period proved, and as the forthcoming investigations will likely demonstrate as well, but Deasy says it's worth it.
"We can never again have a situation where teachers are in a position to do harm to our students," he told the Star-News.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
