June 11, 2019

IPS Pays $600K To Settle Counselor Sex Abuse Lawsuits

FILE PHOTO: WFYI

FILE PHOTO: WFYI

Updated: Tuesday June 11, 2019 3:50 PM

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Public Schools paid about $600,000 to settle three lawsuits in a case involving a former school counselor who was accused of having sex with students.

The Indianapolis Star obtained the financial details of the settlements through public records requests. The school board approved them nearly two weeks ago without disclosing the amount.

Both lawsuits arose from allegations that former counselor Shana Taylor had sex with two students while working for the district in 2015 and 2016.

Taylor pleaded guilty to three felony counts.

In one case, a male student said Taylor sexually abused and harassed him. The minor accused district officials of negligence, and failure to keep him safe and adequately train staff. Court records show the district denied the allegations. That case was settled for $95,000.

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