California settles with school district involved in 2023 Business Insider investigation over its handling of sexual misconduct complaints

Rob Bonta announced a settlement with the El Monte Union High School District. Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images 2026-03-21T13:59:40.536Z Share Copy link Email Facebook WhatsApp X LinkedIn Bluesky Threads lighning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

Impact Link Save Saved Read in app Loading audio narration... This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in. CA Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement with the El Monte Union High School District. The settlement involves a corrective plan for the district over its handling of sexual misconduct cases. One of the district's schools was the focus of a 2023 investigation by Business Insider. AI-generated summary Summaries are generated by an AI model trained on Business Insider's articles. AI may make mistakes or provide inaccurate/incomplete information. We're unable to load that answer right now. Please try again. Who monitors the settlement's implementation? How might these reforms impact other districts? How will the new complaint system be used? What led to the 2024 investigation? What challenges face the compliance coordinator?

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Friday that his office reached a settlement with the El Monte Union High School District.The settlement follows what Bonta described as years of "mishandling" sexual harassment, assault, and abuse complaints from students.In 2023, Business Insider published an extensive investigation into allegations of misconduct at Rosemead High, a school in the district.The state opened an investigation into the district in 2024. It examined conduct from 2018 through fall 2025 and reviewed more than 88,000 documents and nearly 200,000 emails. Investigators also interviewed 26 administrators, along with staff, former students, and other witnesses.Speaking at a press conference in Los Angeles County, Bonta said that, under the settlement, the California Department of Justice and the school district will implement a four-year corrective plan that would permanently enjoin the district from violating state and federal laws governing sexual misconduct in schools.The El Monte Union High School District serves roughly 9,500 students across eight campuses."Every child deserves to learn and grow in a safe and supportive school environment," the attorney general said in a statement on Friday. "Today's settlement marks a beginning, not an end.""I am hopeful that the District will move swiftly to implement the reforms required by this settlement, and my office will be monitoring closely to ensure its compliance," Bonta added.As part of the settlement, the district must appoint a state DOJ-approved compliance coordinator, roll out a centralized electronic complaint system, and expand access to education and mental health services for those who report misconduct. Officials will also be required to maintain a list of substitute teachers barred from reappointment following sustained findings of sexual harassment."At El Monte Union High School District, student safety and well-being remain our highest priorities," El Monte Union High School Superintendent Edward Zuniga said in a statement included in Bonta's press release. "This agreement reflects our continued commitment to strengthening systems that support safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environments. Through enhanced protocols, increased transparency, and expanded training for staff, students, and families, we are reinforcing our responsibility to protect every student and ensure they feel supported, valued, and ready to learn."