Full Breakdown
Jewell School District Settles $2.35 Million Lawsuit Over Teacher Sexual Abuse
2/20/2026, 5:03:02 AM
Settlement Details and Allegations
The Jewell School District in Clatsop County, Oregon, has agreed to pay $2.35 million to settle a federal lawsuit alleging that district officials failed to act on multiple complaints regarding sexual abuse by shop teacher David Michael Brandon. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Portland, claims that Brandon sexually abused a student from April 2017 to December 2018, engaging in sexual contact in his classroom, his truck, and at his home. The victim, now 23, has reported ongoing psychological issues stemming from the abuse, including shame, guilt, and anxiety.
Despite receiving warnings about Brandon's inappropriate behavior, including reports from a facilities coordinator and a school counselor, district administrators allowed him to resign quietly at the end of the 2018-2019 school year. Brandon was later convicted in 2023 on multiple counts of third-degree rape and sodomy, as well as unlawful delivery of marijuana, and is currently serving a prison sentence after his probation was revoked.
Background on the Case
Brandon was hired by the Jewell School District in the 2014-2015 school year under an emergency teaching license, despite lacking certification and experience as a shop teacher. The lawsuit details a pattern of concerning behavior, including giving the student rides, gifts, and drugs, as well as engaging in one-on-one lunches with her. In November 2018, Brandon received a written reprimand for "inappropriate interactions" with students, yet no significant action was taken to limit his access to them.
The case highlights systemic failures within the district, as multiple staff members reported Brandon's conduct without any decisive intervention from administrators. A science teacher testified to having reported suspected child abuse to the state in 2018, and a school volunteer witnessed the victim smoking marijuana in Brandon's classroom, which she claimed he provided.
Criticism and Broader Implications
Critics of the Jewell School District's handling of the situation argue that the failure to act on numerous warnings reflects a broader issue of inadequate oversight and accountability in schools. Peter Janci, the attorney representing the victim, emphasized the need for trust between parents, students, and school administrators, stating, “Oregon’s public-school students and their parents deserve to be able to trust that administrators will take action when faced with warning signs of sexual abuse by school staff.”
The settlement closes this chapter of civil litigation but raises ongoing questions regarding hiring practices, supervision, and mandatory reporting obligations for school staff. The district has not disclosed how the settlement will be funded, and further scrutiny of its policies and procedures is anticipated.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are extremely proud of our young client’s courage in pursuing accountability for the Jewell School District,” — Peter Janci, Attorney
- “Lack of judgment, poor boundaries, lack of professionalism and danger to students,” — Retired Teacher, regarding Brandon's behavior.
