EVERETT — A woman who alleged that school administrators failed to protect her from a teacher who groomed her for a sexual relationship when she was a student has reached a settlement with the Everett School District.
“The issue has been resolved on principle,” Kathy Reeves, the school district’s communications director, said in an email Friday afternoon. “The jury was dismissed today and the case will be dismissed once the final terms of the settlement have been finalized.”
Darrell Cochran, an attorney who represented the former student, said the agreement was reached Friday morning in the middle of the trial in Snohomish County Superior Court. He said the settlement is for $1 million.
Two former students of Craig Verver brought lawsuits involving the former Cascade High School English and philosophy teacher. They alleged he manipulated them into sexual relationships while they were students.
In the case that went before a jury this week, the former student — known as A.G. in court papers — alleged that Verver started hugging her and whispering in her ear while on campus before the relationship became sexual, according to court papers.
The plaintiffs argued that the district was aware of suspicious activity involving the teacher but didn’t stop it.
Cochran said he spoke with jurors after they were dismissed Friday.
“The jurors were emphasizing their concerns that the school district had the right training in place and yet key officials … had failed to take action despite repeated warnings from teachers, and others, that Craig Verver was showing clear signs of predatory behavior toward his female students,” Cochran said.
The Tacoma attorney also represents the other student, who is known in court papers as A.T. That former student filed a federal case that was dismissed due to the statute of limitations. The student sought a review from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, where the matter is awaiting oral arguments. The court recently suggested setting dates for that issue in July or later.
A.G. had a separate case that was dismissed from federal court in September 2018. She requested the dismissal, citing the statute of limitations issue, records show. A.G.’s federal suit named Verver and other district employees as defendants. The Superior Court case only listed the district as a defendant.
Verver, 53, resigned his position in February 2018, requesting that his notice become effective that June, according to documents obtained by The Daily Herald through a public records request. His resignation letter consisted of a single sentence.
A settlement was signed, however, noting he may have been facing termination. Under its terms, he remained on paid leave through August and gave up his right to seek legal redress from the district over his employment status. He also can never work for the district again. Both parties noted that they do not admit liability or admit that any of the allegations are true.
Verver’s wife filed for divorce last August in Snohomish County Superior Court, saying the marriage was “irretrievably broken.” They married in 1992 and separated in October 2017, she told the court.
At the time, Verver was living in the Bothell area.
The divorce became final in December 2018.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.
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