The El Monte Union High School District in the Los Angeles area is accused of mishandling a series of abuse cases involving teachers and coaches spanning several years.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the results of a seven-year investigation, from 2018 to 2025, which found that the district violated state laws and mishandled at least 113 incidents.
In more than 100 cases, the district failed to conduct investigations as required by law. Many incidents were not reported despite mandatory reporting obligations.
Some serious cases included a wrestling coach having physical contact with male students during practice and a special education teacher sending sensitive images to a female student with autism. These actions are similar to a high-profile case where a teacher admitted to having a relationship with a student on school grounds.
In at least five instances, the failure to report allowed the perpetrators to maintain access to and further harm other students.
California law requires teachers and school staff to immediately report suspected child abuse. The investigation revealed that these regulations were not fully implemented.
Officials stated that the district fostered a toxic environment where wrongful acts were concealed and not adequately addressed.
In 2024, nine former students at Rosemead High School filed a lawsuit, alleging they were abused by school staff over a long period.
A special education teacher was accused of harassing students during and after school hours. A wrestling coach had previously been sentenced to prison in 2013 for conduct involving minors.
The district has accepted a legal settlement, agreeing to be under monitoring for four years.
A district representative stated they would improve the system and ensure a safer learning environment.
