Anonymous
Post 12/21/2011 23:38     Subject: Re:Has anyone ever sued a private school?
Anonymous wrote:Most private school enrollment contracts bind the private school to only a very low duty of care, and no particular educational, social, or developmental goals are assured. We had DC enrolled at a well-known private school and became embroiled in a serious dispute with the head of school; the school declined to settle and refund our tuition unless we would execute a lifetime confidentiality agreement; they claim that this is their SOP. We also understand that almost every private school carries general liability insurance, with complete-defense coverage, such that the school itself effectively does not have to pay the costs of defense counsel. You have NO rights in a private school.



So you declined to settle because you would have to keep quiet about it? Why is agreeing to confidentiality a deal breaker if you get the settlement you want? I also don't follow the point about liability insurance...how does a school having liability insurance lead to families having no rights?
Anonymous
Post 12/21/2011 22:34     Subject: Has anyone ever sued a private school?
Anonymous wrote:The head of one Big 5 School told me the following story. At least 2 students were caught cheating in HS and were punished. I forget those specifics. One set of parents (of European background) met with the head and complained about the punishment, claiming a concern about school admissions. The other set of parents (of Asian background) met with the head and apologized to the school for the behavoir of their child. We need more of the latter, and less of the former.



Hell yes. And therein lies the difference.
Anonymous
Post 12/21/2011 22:28     Subject: Has anyone ever sued a private school?
The head of one Big 5 School told me the following story. At least 2 students were caught cheating in HS and were punished. I forget those specifics. One set of parents (of European background) met with the head and complained about the punishment, claiming a concern about school admissions. The other set of parents (of Asian background) met with the head and apologized to the school for the behavoir of their child. We need more of the latter, and less of the former.
Anonymous
Post 12/21/2011 13:19     Subject: Has anyone ever sued a private school?
There was a case in NYC within the last year. A mother sued the private nursery school, I believe, because DC wasn't admitted to whatever the follow-on prestigious elementary school was. Apparently, the theory was that the nursery school showed favoritism in terms of recommendations and in how they prepped kids for their interviews. I know, wild. But, hey, in NYC, people don't play. They don't care if other people, other schools thing they're uncouth, they'll fight. Not sure, but I think the school might have settled with the mom.
Anonymous
Post 12/21/2011 11:30     Subject: Re:Has anyone ever sued a private school?
Most private school enrollment contracts bind the private school to only a very low duty of care, and no particular educational, social, or developmental goals are assured. We had DC enrolled at a well-known private school and became embroiled in a serious dispute with the head of school; the school declined to settle and refund our tuition unless we would execute a lifetime confidentiality agreement; they claim that this is their SOP. We also understand that almost every private school carries general liability insurance, with complete-defense coverage, such that the school itself effectively does not have to pay the costs of defense counsel. You have NO rights in a private school.

Anonymous
Post 12/21/2011 10:46     Subject: Has anyone ever sued a private school?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know of a lawsuit where a parent is saying the school is violating its promise to give significant tuition breaks to a student who is part of the choir program. Is that the sort of thing you mean?

It would seem there would be more than one family with an issue? Is it only one family or several?

I know of only one family pursuing the lawsuit approach. I think what happened is the school changed the policy to reduce the tuition breaks, and this particular parent (who seems to be litigious by nature) is arguing the school should not be permitted to change its policy.
Anonymous
Post 12/21/2011 10:42     Subject: Has anyone ever sued a private school?
Anonymous wrote:I know of a lawsuit where a parent is saying the school is violating its promise to give significant tuition breaks to a student who is part of the choir program. Is that the sort of thing you mean?


It would seem there would be more than one family with an issue? Is it only one family or several?
Anonymous
Post 12/21/2011 05:50     Subject: Has anyone ever sued a private school?
We shouldn't be surprised if it happens in 21st century America because there has to be somebody to blame for every undesired outcome. If the choices are a) myself; b) DC; and c) the school -- the school just MUST be to blame.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2011 23:27     Subject: Has anyone ever sued a private school?
If the school keeps passing a child along who is doing poorly, then I can see a case. There were cases filed like this against some public school systems. Since NCLB, there is less of that because the schools have to address poor performance.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2011 22:51     Subject: Has anyone ever sued a private school?
This sounds like an amazingly silly idea. On what basis would one sue the school. Absent extrement circumstances. Lets see. I am suing ABC School because my child did not learn enough or did not get into Harvard or was not as challenging as I was told,. No, what happened is that you got caught up into the DC private school silliness and you now have buyers remorse. Moreover, your suit against the school will only distract the school administration from doing what it should be doing and the teachers from teaching. You also will piss off the other parents whose children are now at a school with fewer resources.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2011 21:20     Subject: Re:Has anyone ever sued a private school?
Anonymous wrote:my gut is the school's endowment that could be used for legal fees exceeds your personal ability to continue to pay your atty's fees. Also would pretty much black ball you from any private anywhere, including private Universities


Who cares, if your child is hurt, most of us would not sit around scared.
If it is pre HS, there is NO WAY that the school can find out where you are applying.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2011 21:06     Subject: Re:Has anyone ever sued a private school?
my gut is the school's endowment that could be used for legal fees exceeds your personal ability to continue to pay your atty's fees. Also would pretty much black ball you from any private anywhere, including private Universities
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2011 16:51     Subject: Has anyone ever sued a private school?
I know of a lawsuit where a parent is saying the school is violating its promise to give significant tuition breaks to a student who is part of the choir program. Is that the sort of thing you mean?
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2011 16:47     Subject: Has anyone ever sued a private school?
Anonymous wrote:Or do you know of anyone who has done so?
Whether it be for poor academics, failure to reach goals, inflated evaluation, psychological damage, or anything else?
If so, what was the outcome?
Please do not give specifics like school name.


Earlier this year, a cuckolded husband sued one of the MAC schools for $10 million saying the school allowed its staff psychologist to carry on an affair with his wife causing trauma to the child.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2011 16:35     Subject: Has anyone ever sued a private school?
Or do you know of anyone who has done so?
Whether it be for poor academics, failure to reach goals, inflated evaluation, psychological damage, or anything else?
If so, what was the outcome?
Please do not give specifics like school name.