Another Former Arizona Student Seeks $7 Million From School District Over Ex-Teacher's Alleged Grooming

A former student at a Peoria, Arizona, high school has filed a $7 million notice of claim against the Peoria Unified School District, alleging that district officials failed to protect him from a pattern of grooming and exploitation by a since-fired teacher, ABC15 reported on Sept. 30. A notice of claim is a required step before suing a public entity in Arizona.

According to ABC15, the claim alleges negligence, a failure to implement mandatory reporting requirements, Title IX sexual harassment and a civil rights violation, and it names the district along with several current and former staff members. The station reported that the document released by the district redacts the former student's name but describes him as a close friend of other students whose allegations against the same former teacher have already been investigated. KTAR, summarizing ABC15's reporting, said the claim alleges the teacher supplied the student with marijuana and alcohol and hosted him at her home.

A district spokesperson confirmed receiving the notice and said it would be turned over to legal counsel, according to ABC15. The station noted the district is already facing a separate $20 million claim filed earlier this year by another former student over alleged misconduct by school employees. None of the allegations have been adjudicated.