A former Centennial High School student has filed a $20 million notice of claim against the Peoria Unified School District. The move is a precursor to a lawsuit.
The student alleges district leaders didn’t protect him from sexual abuse by school employees. A district spokesperson told KJZZ that PUSD had received the notice in January and is "responding accordingly."
Two now-former teachers are accused of sexual conduct with the same teenage boy. The scandal has led to heated school board meetings, the resignation of the high school’s principal and other leadership changes.
Addressing the governing board this week, Ryan LaDouceur, who was supposed to be the next interim superintendent, said he was pushed out of the role. Peoria parent Heather Moss recorded a video of his statement and posted it on YouTube.
“On Sunday, May 17, the school district attorney Susan Segal called me, one of multiple people that day, and threatened me that if I didn't resign and go away quietly, there would be issues," LaDouceur said.
He said he asked several times for a reason why this was happening and if he had done anything wrong.
“The only explanation that was ever given to me by one of the board members was that you have too much integrity to play politics at this level," LaDouceur said.
In an email to KJZZ, PUSD Chief Communications Officer, Danielle Airey wrote:
"The district is committed to transparency and wants to set the record straight regarding recent claims about Dr. LaDouceur's departure.
On the morning of Sunday, May 17, Dr. LaDouceur sent a text message to the district's attorney and requested that she reach out to him to discuss his change in employment. At his request, she provided sample language he could use to inform the Governing Board President that he would not be moving forward with the Interim Superintendent role he had been offered. She clearly stated at that time that she does not represent him. Dr. LaDouceur then voluntarily edited and sent that communication from his own email account to the Governing Board President. It was a written withdrawal that he chose to send.
Upon receiving Dr. LaDouceur's written withdrawal, then-Superintendent Dr. Somers notified all administrators of the leadership update and informed them that the Board would hold a Special Meeting the following day to discuss next steps."
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The principal of Centennial High School in Peoria is stepping away from his role amid a teacher sex scandal there. Two teachers at the school were accused of having inappropriate relationships with the same student. -
The Peoria Unified School District's governing board has appointed a new interim superintendent. The decision drew criticism from the community amid a teacher sex scandal and other leadership changes.
