In a landmark case that has sent ripples through the private education sector in California, two former students of Saint Francis High School in Mountain View have been awarded $1 million and tuition reimbursement. The students were expelled in 2020 over allegations of 'blackface', a claim they vehemently denied, stating they were wearing acne face masks in the photos that led to their expulsion.
The Santa Clara County jury sided with the students, identified in court documents as A.H. and H.H., who argued that the school district had breached an oral contract and denied them due process. The students were each awarded $500,000 and a total of about $70,000 in tuition reimbursements.
The photos that sparked the controversy were taken in 2017 during a sleepover and showed the students wearing dark green face masks. Amid the height of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, the photos were shared widely and interpreted as 'blackface', leading to the students' expulsion.
The lawsuit argued that the school had given the students an ultimatum to either withdraw or face expulsion, without offering a hearing or considering any evidence. The students and their parents initially sought $20 million in damages.
“This case is significant not only for our clients but for its groundbreaking effect on all private high schools in California, which are now legally required to provide fair procedure to students before punishing or expelling them,” said Krista Baughman, one of the attorneys for the students. She added that the jury had confirmed that Saint Francis High School’s procedures were unfair to the students and that the school was not above the law.
However, representatives for Saint Francis High School disagreed with the jury's conclusion, stating that they are "exploring legal options," including appealing the verdict. They maintained that their disciplinary review process was fair.
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