CBE reaches settlement in lawsuit involving allegations of two former Calgary teachers

The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) has reached a $15.77 million settlement in a class action lawsuit involving allegations of sexual and physical abuse by two former teachers at John Ware Junior High School between 1988 and 2004.

The agreement, announced Wednesday, is subject to court approval. It resolves claims brought by former students against the CBE, the estate of former teacher Michael Gregory, and retired teacher Fred Archer.

The plaintiffs included both men and women who were between the ages of 12 and 14 when the alleged abuse began. The case was certified by a judge in January.

“Child sexual abuse is far more common

In a statement, the CBE apologized for the harm experienced by class members and acknowledged the impact of the abuse.

“The CBE commends the strength and courage of the class members who came forward to share their experiences and to participate in the court process,” reads the statement.

The lawsuit alleged the CBE failed to provide a safe environment, report suspected abuse, and respond to multiple disclosures made to staff at John Ware School.

“Child sexual abuse is far more common than a lot of people realize,” says Dave Corrigan, on the team from HMC Lawyers acting for the plaintiffs. “There’s often an element of shame that people feel. That can prevent them from seeking the appropriate supports.”

Gregory, a physical and outdoor education teacher from 1988 to 2006, was accused of sexually abusing female students and physically abusing male students at John Ware. He was investigated and suspended in 2006, later charged with multiple sexual offences, and died by suicide shortly afterward.

Archer, a colleague of Gregory’s during the 1990s, is accused of sexually and physically abusing male students. He was charged with sexual assaults against students at John Ware dating back to the early 1990s earlier this year.

“Archer was charged and convicted in relation to the sexual abuse of kids that he taught at Springbank Middle School in the 1980s, before he worked at John Ware,” says Corrigan.

The CBE says many class members have indicated they will continue advocacy efforts to prevent similar harm in the future.