Federal investigators have launched a probe into Los Angeles Unified School District over allegations that teachers accused of sexual misconduct with students are being shuffled to different schools instead of being removed from contact with children.
Story Snapshot
- U.S. Department of Education opens Title IX investigation into LAUSD’s handling of teachers accused of sexual abuse
- Federal officials allege district policies automatically reassign accused teachers to other schools rather than removing them from student-facing roles
- LAUSD and teachers union claim “reassignment” means administrative leave at home, not transfer to another school
- Investigation stems from August 2024 union settlement agreement that federal authorities say appears to prioritize teacher employment over student safety
Federal Investigation Targets LAUSD Policies
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights announced a civil rights investigation into LAUSD on May 5, 2026, alleging the nation’s second-largest school district maintains policies that appear to automatically reassign teachers accused of sexual misconduct to other schools. Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey stated that schools must respond appropriately to sexual misconduct claims in a timely manner, but the district seems to be putting the continued employment of sexual predators above student safety. The investigation targets an August 2024 settlement agreement between LAUSD and the United Teachers Los Angeles union.
Battle Over Definition of Reassignment
The core dispute centers on how LAUSD defines reassignment for teachers under investigation. Federal officials interpret reassignment to mean transferring accused teachers to different schools where they could continue teaching students. LAUSD counters that reassignment means provisional removal from regular workplace for safety reasons, including temporary pull, housing an employee, stay-away notices, or suspension pending dismissal. The teachers union emphasized that accused teachers are not reassigned to another classroom or any setting where they would interact with students.
Historical Context Raises Red Flags
Federal concerns about LAUSD’s policies stem partly from historical cases like Steven Thomas Rooney, an assistant principal who was transferred to a Watts middle school in 2008 months after being removed from a previous school where he was investigated for allegedly having sex with an underage student and pulling a gun on her stepfather. District officials returned Rooney to work after police declined to file charges, demonstrating how reassignment policies enabled predatory behavior to continue. This precedent underscores federal worries that current policies may similarly fail to protect students from credibly accused educators.
Union Protections Clash With Student Safety
The investigation highlights fundamental tension between teacher due process rights and student protection requirements under Title IX. UTLA maintains that federal investigators fundamentally misunderstand what reassignment entails under district policy and that teachers have contractual rights to fair investigations before termination. However, critics argue union contracts should never supersede student safety, especially when credible allegations of sexual misconduct exist. This case may force difficult conversations nationwide about whether labor agreements in education adequately prioritize vulnerable children over adult employment protections.
Sources:
Trump Administration Probes LAUSD’s Policies On Teachers’ Sexual Misconduct – Patch
