Facts

A former Stanley Middle School student was sexually abused by her teacher, Michael Merrick, in 2010. She sued the Lafayette School District, Superintendent Fred Brill, Principal David Schrag, and Merrick for the repeated abuse she suffered when she was 14 years old during private tutoring sessions with Merrick in his classroom. The complaint alleged that the district employees had received prior complaints about Merrick fondling other female students before his October 2010 arrest. Those complaints, however, were never reported to law enforcement officers as required by law. Brill and Schrag were later dismissed as defendants.

In 2012, Merrick pleaded guilty to six felony sex crimes and was sentenced to five years and eight months in state prison.

Result

Without admitting any wrongdoing, the school district agreed to settle the matter for $725,000.