A settlement of $15 million has been reached in a class-action lawsuit brought forth by former students of a Calgary junior high school who claimed to have been subjected to abuse by two former teachers. The lawsuit targeted the Calgary Board of Education and the teachers at John Ware School for alleged instances of sexual, physical, and psychological abuse spanning from 1988 to 2004.
One of the accused teachers, Michael Gregory, faced 17 charges of sexual assault and sexual exploitation in 2021. Following the allegations made by several former students against him, Gregory passed away, with authorities determining his death was not of a criminal nature. Another teacher named Fred Archer, who worked at the school during the 1990s, was convicted of abusing boys at a previous school where he was employed.
In the statement of claim, three representative plaintiffs asserted that the school division overlooked reports of abuse by Gregory and failed to establish adequate policies to prevent abuse and exploitation. The settlement, still pending court approval, involves the Calgary Board of Education and its insurers agreeing to pay $15.77 million. Additionally, the settlement offers victims the chance to collaborate with the school division on policies and training initiatives.
Acknowledging the harm endured by the class members, the Calgary Board of Education expressed regret and praised the bravery of those who shared their experiences. Many class members are determined to advocate for preventing similar harm in the future. The approval date for the settlement by the court is yet to be determined.
Representing the students, lawyer David Corrigan expressed satisfaction with the resolution of the matter. The lawsuit, involving 40 alleged victims, may see more individuals joining the proceedings if the settlement receives court approval.