October 1st 2024.
Two families from Poudre School District have taken legal action against the district and four of its administrators. Their lawsuit claims that the district had employed a paraprofessional, Tyler Zanella, with a known history of child abuse and who was later convicted of assaulting children on school buses.
The two students involved in the case, referred to only by their initials, suffered abuse from Zanella during the 2022-23 school year. The abuse included physical violence such as hitting, kicking, pinching, and poking, as well as verbal abuse such as cursing. Zanella pleaded guilty to seven counts of third-degree assault, two counts of child abuse, and two counts of harassment, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison and two years in jail.
According to the lawsuit, the parents, whose names were not disclosed, stated that the school administrators were aware of Zanella's criminal history, which included previous convictions for child abuse and driving under the influence. However, they only found out about it the day after Zanella started working. It was only after his fingerprints were submitted for a background check by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation that the administrators learned of his past. Despite this, the administrators allowed Zanella to continue working on a school bus, where he was responsible for supervising children with special needs.
The lawsuit claims that the Poudre School District had allowed Zanella to start working before receiving the results of his background check, showing a blatant disregard for the safety of the students. This, according to the lawsuit, is indicative of the district's hiring practices, which prioritize convenience over the safety of its students.
In response to the lawsuit, Emily Shockley, a spokesperson for the school district, stated that they take the safety of their students very seriously and will respond accordingly through the lawsuit.
The lawsuit also alleges that school officials, including teachers, ignored or dismissed complaints from parents about their children suffering unexplained bruises or being afraid to ride the bus. It was only after reviewing video footage that the district realized the severity of the situation, with Zanella shown slapping, punching, and torturing the students.
Both students involved in the lawsuit are autistic and have limited communication abilities. Their parents reported behavioral changes, such as struggling with basic skills like showering, eating, and cleaning, after being abused by Zanella.
This case is just one of several in Colorado involving allegations of abuse on school buses. In June, the U.S. Department of Justice opened an investigation into Littleton Public Schools and the Joshua School after a district employee assaulted a boy with a disability on a bus ride home. In 2017, a bus attendant from Boulder Valley School District was sentenced to jail time for physically and verbally abusing a student. The district was later required to pay a $4 million settlement to the family.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court of Colorado, accuses the school district of violating several laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act, which protect people from discrimination based on disabilities. The families are seeking unspecified damages.
The Zanella case is a tragic reminder that the safety and well-being of students should always be a top priority for school districts. It is crucial for schools to thoroughly screen and vet all employees, especially those who will be working closely with students. Let us hope that this case serves as a wake-up call for schools to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their students.
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