Terra Nova HS students allege school district failed to protect them from teachers' sex abuse

PACIFICA, Calif. (KGO) -- New details in two separate sexual abuse lawsuits filed against Jefferson Union High School District reveal shocking allegations involving Terra Nova High School in Pacifica.

"The school alone was a breeding ground for predators," said Lauren Cerri of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, who represents both plaintiffs in the suits. "I commend both of these young women for their bravery in coming forward."

In the first complaint, a young woman identified as freshman special ed student at the time alleged that her woodshop teacher sexually assaulted her and groomed her by "waiting for her outside of the cafeteria, walking her to class, following her into classrooms and having lunch with her, asking her inappropriate questions, and looking her up online."

The complaint details similar incidents involving this teacher and other students, dating back to 2016. It even claims that multiple students and parents tried to report him, but school leaders "did not follow up" and "did not take any repudiatory action."

The complaint outlines how other students referred to this teacher as "the creepy teacher" because he was known for behaviors, including "inappropriately touching minor female students, making inappropriate comments to female students, including telling them he had sexual dreams about them." In some instances, the teacher is accused of gifting students with "sexually inappropriate gifts."

Cerri said the teacher was eventually arrested in January. ABC7 News reached out to the Pacific Police Department, who referred inquiries to the San Mateo County District Attorney.

District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe confirmed the teacher in question was charged with two felony counts of lewd act on a 14 or 15-year-old child and sexual battery. The next court date is Oct.13.

"Through the course of our investigation, it revealed that there was another teacher who was sexually abusing students years before," said Cerri.

In a separate, second lawsuit filed, a second plaintiff alleged that she was 16-years-old during the 2015-2017 school years and was sexually assaulted by her chemistry teacher. Allegations outlined in the complaint range from giving the student "special attention" to "bringing her lunch frequently, giving her rides in his personal vehicle."

According to the complaint, that teacher was ultimately terminated or resigned, but only when he was being investigated.

Both lawsuits allege that the Jefferson Union High School District was negligent in hiring, supervising and keeping these teachers on staff.

In a statement to ABC7 News, the district said:

Protecting the well being and safety of our students is a very high priority in our school district. Jefferson UHSD did not receive copies of these civil lawsuits before the plaintiffs' attorneys went to the news media. As such, we cannot respond to allegations that we haven't seen. Unlike the complainants, the district has a legal obligation to preserve the due process and privacy rights of everyone involved. As such, we are precluded from further discussing specific assertions or allegations in these cases until we've reviewed their contents.

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