Days after a state probe found failures by the district in responding to abuse allegations, several students who allege they were sexually abused at Rosemead High School called Monday for the removal of El Monte Union High School District Superintendent Edward Zuniga.
“There needs to be some changes. Big changes,” one student said during a news conference at district headquarters Monday.
Michael Carrillo, an attorney representing about a dozen students, told reporters he personally deposed Zuniga in a legal matter nearly 10 years ago.
“I asked Dr. Zuniga, as a principal, if a teacher is reportedly having sex with a minor student, do you report that to law enforcement? And he said no, it’s up to the administrator’s discretion,” Carrillo said. “That is not the law. Dr. Zuniga, he must go. He has single handedly overseen this district for many years and allowed these perpetrators and predators to roam free on the campus with absolutely no regard for any safety of the students. Dr. Zuniga, you must go immediately.”
On Friday, the California Department of Justice announced that the EMUHSD had agreed to implement wide-ranging changes to settle allegations of sexual harassment, assault and abuse of students that were documented on the district’s campuses over a six-year period.
Following an 18-month investigation, the state found the district “systemically violated laws and regulations” and frequently “failed to provide a legally adequate response” to reports of abuse, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said.
The investigation revealed years of sexual misconduct by teachers, coaches and other school staff, the AG said.
In a statement included with the settlement announcement, Zuniga said the district had committed to “enhanced protocols, increased transparency and expanded training for staff, students and families” in order “to protect every student and ensure they feel supported, valued and ready to learn.”
“At El Monte Union High School District, student safety and well-being remain our highest priorities,” he said.
But Carrillo and other student victims said more was needed.
“We continue to carry this heart-felt wrongdoing — not from one, but an entire staff that won’t release the documents to our attorneys, that won’t support us in the case and just let us get on with our lives,” one student said.
The stipulated settlement between the DOJ and the district requires, among other things, the designation of a new DOJ-approved compliance coordinator to investigate and resolve complaints; the creation of a central computer system for all oral and written complaints and accompanying documents; the development of a complete list of substitutes who cannot be re-hired; and new rules and regulations to ensure compliance with state and federal law.
The school district also agreed to provide the DOJ with sexual harassment, assault and abuse complaints, and the district’s response, in order to ensure legal compliance. Mental health services will also be provided to complainants, the agreement states.
Bonta told reporters Friday he was “hopeful that the district will move swiftly to implement these reforms, that it will work overtime to turn these reforms into a reality as soon as possible. You can be sure that my office will be monitoring closely to ensure that it does.”