Duval School Board OKs $1.45 million in settlements on Douglas Anderson misconduct claims

The Duval County School Board approved $1.45 million in payments Tuesday to settle three legal complaints about teacher misconduct at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.

The settlements included payment to a teenage girl with whom former vocal teacher Jeffrey Clayton cultivated a relationship that led to him being sentenced to 10 years in prison for misusing his position of authority.

“It’s a really, really sad circumstance that brings us here,” said attorney Brad Gibson , who said his client will need extended therapy to deal with emotional scars of a situation that also upended her plans to pursue training as a singer in college.

Earlier trouble: State agency letter details past complaints about arrested Douglas Anderson music teacher

“These are deep-rooted issues and they don’t work themselves out. ... This is a long road for her for recovery.” Gibson said of his client, who he said needed "a fresh start."

Gibson's client and one of the other complanants listed in material circulated to board members settled their claims against the school district without formally suing, although the third filed a federal lawsuit last year saying Clayton “sexually harassed, degraded and touched her body inappropriately.”

Like at Clayton's sentencing, none of the women were identified by name in settlement material sent to the board.

Clayton, who was arrested at school in March 2023, was the most widely publicized of several teachers at the highly regarded magnet high school who faced discipline or reviews for their conduct.

Former Superintendent Dana Kriznar referenced Clayton in a message to Douglas Anderson families last week saying she was “deeply sorry that we did not better protect our students” as she outlined a plan for improving safeguards against faculty misconduct.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Duval School Board OKs $1.45 million in settlements on Douglas Anderson misconduct claims