Glendale Unified Supt. Michael Escalante said administrators did their own investigation, and brought in Glendale police officers to help.
“They couldn’t come to a conclusion as to the details of what occurred, as well as the severity,” he said. “There was a complete investigation, and all that information has been turned over to our insurance agent as well as our adjuster and attorney. And should there be some sort of wrong done, obviously we’re going to deal with it.”
The student at the center of the complaint is no longer enrolled in Glendale Unified, Brown said.
And the substitute teacher is no longer employed by the district, Escalante said.
Brown said he’d tried to work with district officials to avoid suing, but was stonewalled at every turn.
“We’re a pretty mellow group, and the runaround they gave [my staff] was unbelievable, and that’s when I got frustrated,” he said. “This is a school district that cares for children and teaches children, and look at how they are acting.”
Brown said the complaint ought to shed light on Glendale Unified policies regarding safe environments for children as well as sufficient screening for substitute teachers.
“They have to feel safe, that’s what’s bothering me,” he said. “I’m suing them for the teacher’s behavior and suing them for potentially not screening properly in choosing the substitute teacher.”
Substitute teachers are not full-time employees. They are trained and supervised by school administrators.
In many cases, they are retired teachers, or new teachers who are trying to earn a full-time position, Escalante said.
“They don’t waltz into a classroom and have responsibilities,” he said.
School and classroom safety is priority No. 1 for school districts, Escalante said.
“Providing a safe environment for kids is first and foremost. You can’t teach kids in an unsafe environment,” Escalante said.
