After $2.5 Million Settlement, Rocklin Parents Wonder Why Principal Is Still Employed
ROCKLIN (CBS13) — Two families have reached a $2.5 million settlement with the Rocklin Unified School District over the alleged abuse of students by a special-education teacher.
The families claim their autistic children were repeatedly abused in the classroom at Breen Elementary School, and now some parents are calling for the school's principal to also face consequences.
Former special education teacher Sherry McDaniel is on unpaid administrative leave, and the school district has filed charges for her dismissal, officials say.
Patrick Hugunin is from one of two families who will receive more than $1 million from a settlement with the Rocklin Unified School District after a special education teacher allegedly abused his autistic son in the classroom.
"It's great we are settled, but our problems still continue," he said. "Every day I get up, there's a reminder it's never going to go away from us."
The criminal and civil cases against McDaniel allege she manhandled several special-needs students for months. Hugunin says a police report proves Principal Chuck Thibideau was aware of the allegations and did nothing about it.
"He was the person who had this information brought to him, and he's done nothing, and he still sits in an office getting paid," he said.
The district tells CBS13 that McDaniel was put on unpaid administrative leave, but Thibideau is still employed as the school's principal.
"All complaints regarding employees are taken seriously and investigated by the District. Any personnel actions resulting from complaints are treated confidentially and not discussed," the district said in a statement.
Meanwhile other parents like Natalie Cooper say the principal and the district should be held responsible for their alleged inactions.
"The bottom line is the principal knew about it and did nothing, and that further endangered children," she said. "If he would have stopped it two and a half years ago when it started, that's two and a half years children wouldn't have been subjected to this."
McDaniel still faces several criminal misdemeanor charges of child abuse, and is expected back in court next month.
