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ROSEMEAD, Calif () — Survivors of alleged child sexual abuse at Rosemead High School are calling on the El Monte Union High School District to fire its superintendent and take swift action against individuals they say failed to report the abuse.
The calls for action come after the California Department of Justice announced last week that a settlement agreement was approved with the school district. As part of the settlement, changes were announced, but the survivors say it isn’t enough.
“I’m here to represent not just myself, and not the 28 years of abuse that I’ve gone through myself, but all the other students in the district that have been, I’m going to use the word abused,” one survivor said.
The alleged child sex abuse victims are speaking out, demanding accountability following a California DOJ investigation that uncovered what officials described as years of widespread failures to protect students. Some allegations date back to the 1990s.
SEE ALSO: California AG announces sweeping settlement with El Monte HS District after decades of student abuse
CA Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement with El Monte Union High School District following what he described as “disgusting abuses of children.”
“On behalf of any survivor out there, whether it’s this district or another, it’s OK to speak up,” another survivor said at a press conference on Monday.
Survivors from Rosemead High School, who requested anonymity, are now calling on the El Monte Union High School District’s Board of Education to take immediate action, including firing the district superintendent, Edward Zuniga.
The attorneys for more than a dozen alleged sexual abuse victims filed a civil suit against the district, demanding unspecified damages.
“The attorneys for the district are trying to cover up what they’ve done wrong,” one of the survivors’ attorneys, Michael Carrillo, said.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a stipulated judgment with the district after investigators said officials repeatedly failed to follow mandatory reporting laws. The DOJ describes a pattern of inaction, allowing abuse allegations involving students to go unreported.
“We cannot let this happen to some other girls, too, so please, to the people in charge, there just needs to be some changes,” another survivor said.
The state launched its probe following the publication of “Predator’s Playground,” an investigative article by journalist Matt Drange. The report detailed decades of alleged abuse by multiple staff members at Rosemead High School.
The lawsuit also calls for sweeping reforms, including stronger reporting requirements, greater oversight and structural changes to better safeguard current and future students.
“The district has not made any effort to try to resolve this early on… in fact, they are putting up a roadblock to these victims trying to get justice,” an attorney said.
Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga issued the following statement following the announcement of the settlement:
“El Monte Union High School District places the highest priority on supporting the safety and well-being of its students. The District takes all allegations of bullying, harassment, and abuse seriously and is committed to continuously improving how it responds to concerns and supports students in safe learning environments.
On March 18, the El Monte Union Board of Trustees approved a settlement agreement with the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General. The agreement includes measures intended to strengthen existing protocols and enhance how student safety concerns are addressed.
As part of this work, the District will implement additional supports, including the designation of staff to oversee and monitor student safety complaints and investigations, expanded training and resources for students and families, and improved systems for reporting concerns. The District will also gather feedback through climate surveys and establish a committee focused on school climate.
These efforts are intended to strengthen safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environments across the District.”
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