Coronado, California – A former high school student has been awarded $5 million by a jury, nearly four years after her basketball coach admitted to engaging in a sexual relationship with her when she was just seventeen years old. The jury found that the Coronado Unified School District shares more responsibility than the coach himself for the harm caused to the victim. In addition, the school district was found negligent in its hiring and supervision of the assistant coach. This verdict sends a strong message to schools across the nation about the importance of prioritizing student well-being.
According to Brandon Smith, the attorney representing the former student, the school district failed to take action despite clear warning signs that the coach, Jordan Bucklew, was using his position to groom the young victim. Bucklew, who is now 38 years old and residing out of state, pleaded guilty in 2020 to one felony count of unlawful sex with a minor. Although he received three years probation, he was not required to register as a sex offender.
The jury’s decision indicates that 90 percent of the responsibility for the harm lies with the school district, with the remaining 10 percent falling on the assistant coach. As a result, the school district must pay $4.5 million of the $5 million jury award to the student. While some individuals in Coronado have deemed the amount excessive, others believe it serves as a wake-up call for schools to thoroughly vet their employees and closely monitor their actions.
David McKanry, a Coronado resident, emphasizes the need for schools to be more diligent in their hiring practices and attentiveness to students. He suggests that listening to students and paying attention to their concerns are crucial steps toward preventing such incidents. Jaime Estrada, a parent whose daughters graduated from Coronado High School, supports empowering girls and raising awareness about unacceptable situations. She highlights the importance of not being alone with someone and acknowledges the challenges of establishing the truth in these cases.
The Coronado Unified School District issued a statement expressing their commitment to the safety and well-being of their students. They stated that they value every child in their care and are currently exploring post-trial options with their legal counsel. One of the available options for the school district is to appeal the court’s decision.
This verdict not only holds the assistant coach accountable for his actions but also serves as a call to action for schools, urging them to prioritize student welfare and create a safe learning environment. By recognizing the school district’s negligence in hiring and supervising the coach, the jury has emphasized the need for schools to exercise greater caution and responsibility in their staffing decisions. The financial compensation awarded to the victim sends a clear message that the well-being of students should never be compromised.