Amador County – The Amador County Unified School District settled a civil rights lawsuit by former student Justin Zysman for $150,000 last September, with the district to pay as much as $25,000 more to set up a diversity program in schools.

Justin Zysman and his family signed the settlement and dropped a civil rights lawsuit over claims of anti-Semitism at Amador High School, according to a copy of the settlement, which was published online by the group Calaware.

Superintendent Dick Glock said Thursday he could not comment on the settlement, due to it being confidential. He referred questions to Tuolumne Joint Power Authority, which handled the settlement for the school district.

Tuolumne JPA’s attorney Alesa Schachter, of Johnson Schachter & Lewis of Sacramento, signed the settlement as attorney for the school district, and for former Amador High principal Allan Van Velzen. Schachter also said she could not comment on the settlement.

The settlement resolved a suit by Justin and his parents, Jason and Molly Zysman, filed against Amador School District, alleging four causes of action, including a violation of civil rights by the district and Van Velzen for race or perceived race. It also alleged violation of civil right of “equal protection under the 14th Amendment” by Van Velzen, and a violation of California Education Code through “student discrimination” by the district.

In the agreement, the suit was dismissed, and the School District paid $150,000 to Zysman. Justin Zysman was a student at Amador High when he alleged reporting to the principal numerous anti-Semitic harassments.

The settlements were signed by Justin Zysman and his father, Jason, on August 31, 2010, and by Glock on Sept. 7, 2010. It noted that both parties agree that “no money will be or has been paid by or on behalf of Van Velzen or any other individually named defendant to settle the litigation.”

The settlement agreement also required the school district to allocate up to $25,000 to “create or enhance and provide a diversity or similar program to its staff and students.” Failure to implement the program at least by the start of the 2011-2012 school year would violate the settlement.

The agreement included a joint statement of confidentiality, concealing the settlement and amounts paid. It noted that the Zysman family would “respond to any inquiries” from third parties by saying only that ‘the matter has been resolved.” The confidentiality clause did recognize and acknowledge that the school district must comply with the “Public Records Act which may require a disclosure of this agreement.” The group CalAware requested the settlement and posted it on its website.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.