Deer Valley USD notice of claims says district ignored child abuse, retaliated against employees
Two former Deer Valley Unified School District employees filed a notice of claim stating that they were “pushed out of their jobs” for sounding the alarm on student abuse at Mountain Ridge High School.
According to ABC 15 Arizona, “Special education teacher Annie Hughes, former district employee Alicia Quintero, and a school psychologist accuse the district of ignoring reports of misconduct in a special education classroom, then retaliating against those who spoke up.”
Details from The Notice of Claim say an unnamed special education teacher and a paraprofessional “allegedly withheld lunch as punishment” and used “unauthorized behavioral intervention plans” when handling student behaviors.
Watch the live recorded ABC 15 report.
Hughes said she noticed when students had “good days” they ate with other students, but they were “punished accordingly” if they had a “bad day.” The students also had to “earn” bathroom privileges, according to Hughes.
Adding to the list of accusations against the district, 12 News reported that one special needs student was left outside in the heat for five hours without water or bathroom access.
Special needs student sitting in the heat during school hours. | Screenshot sourced from 12 News
Quintero’s daughter was one of the students allegedly abused. When Quintero spoke up, she said Mountain Ridge Assistant Principal Breanne Cole “gave her the runaround.” Shortly after reporting the incidents, Quintero experienced a hostile work environment wherein she was accused of causing problems for the district.
Below is a screenshot of damages sought by the former employees.
Screenshot sourced from 12 News
Hughes and Quintero are claiming the two Hispanic special needs students were treated differently than white students. The former employees were reportedly “effectively discharged” for standing up for the two students.
Allegations of racial discrimination are currently under investigation.
Deer Valley Superintendent Curtis Finch did not issue a formal apology to the students or their families. He released a statement that said the district is “extremely limited in the information it can share” and that they are fully cooperating with law enforcement agencies.
