Crime & Safety

Lafayette District Agrees to $725,000 Settlement in Merrick Case

The money will come from the district's insurance pool, not its general fund, officials say.

The Lafayette School District has agreed to pay $725,000 to the family of a minor who was abused by former teacher Michael Merrick, the district announced Monday.

“As a District, and as individuals, we are deeply sorry for what happened to the victim in this case,” said District Superintendent Fred Brill. “Someone we trusted as a teacher betrayed that trust and abused a child. His crimes have caused the victim a great deal of pain and have damaged our community.”

Under the terms of the agreement, the District’s insurance pool will pay the victim $725,000. None of this amount will come from the District's general fund and district services will not be affected by the settlement.

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The settlement means the suit filed by the victim's family against the district has been dismissed. The complaint against Superintendent Fred Brill and Stanley Middle School Principal David Schrag was dismissed by the plaintiff several months ago.

So far, no other victims of Merrick have been identified or come forward, and the district said it is not aware of any additional victims. Merrick pleaded guilty to six felony counts last year and is now serving time in state prison.

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The district said it will continue to examine this case to determine ways to prevent similar incidents from happening again.


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