The San Ramon Valley Unified School District has agreed to a settlement for nearly $7 million in a lawsuit alleging the sexual assault of two minor students by one of its teachers, lawyers for the plaintiffs said.
According to the settlement agreement, the district “expressly denies any admission of liability and wrongdoing” in the suits filed in March and February 2024 that alleged teacher Ryan Weible sexually abused two students and that the district failed to protect them.
The school district has settled for $6,999,900, according to Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, the law firm that represented the plaintiffs, who are identified only as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2.
According to both Does’ claims, Weible taught at San Ramon Valley High School in Danville and directed the theater department.
One girl was a senior there during the 2010-2011 school year, and Weible allegedly “used his position of trust and authority as a teacher to gain access to her and sexually assault her on school grounds in the theatre room, the ‘green room,’ his car, his apartment, and in his office, as well as on a District-sponsored trip,” according to the suit, which outlines the alleged sexual activity that included intercourse.
Jane Doe 2 alleges similar things during the same school year, which led to Weible allegedly saying “he was in love with her and wanted to marry her,” the complaint reads, and he “encouraged Jane Doe 2 not to go to college so that they could be together.”
Lawyers for the Does alleged that the school district knew that Weible “engaged in highly inappropriate grooming behavior” with his female students and failed to act on that knowledge in a timely manner. The suit alleged the district ignored several red flags such as the teacher allegedly giving gifts and hugging female students, inviting female students into his office alone, giving hand massages to female students, and having girls sit in his lap.
On Thursday, SRVUSD Superintendent CJ Cammack released a statement about the settlement.
“We are unable to speak to the specifics of the case, which relates to allegations dating back approximately 15 years,” wrote Cammack in an email. “However, when an adult, trusted to work with students, is accused of betraying that trust, it is deeply disturbing, and we acknowledge the devastating impact such a betrayal can have on the victims.”
Cammack said that the district had followed all legally required hiring practices at the time, such as having Weible fingerprinted for a background check. However, the district has since strengthened safeguards.
“We have made comprehensive improvements to our hiring and background check procedures and enhanced staff training to help ensure that abuse does not happen,” said Cammack. “SRVUSD has also reviewed and fortified the steps we take in response to student, staff, and family voices when a concern is expressed.”
An attempt to reach Weible on Thursday was not successful.
In 2023, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute Weible.
“After a review the referral of charges from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office did not file a complaint with the court due to insufficient evidence to prove the case in court beyond a reasonable doubt,” said District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Ted Asregadoo.
Cammack, who was not superintendent at the time of the alleged abuse, said this case is not a reflection of the district.
“Student safety remains our highest priority, and our thoughts remain with those impacted,” he wrote. “This case does not reflect the high quality of our SRVUSD teachers and staff. I am confident that our current staff are committed to acting responsibly and with vigilance in support of student safety.”
