Springboro Schools won't say how much families get in student sexual misconduct settlement

The Springboro Community City School District Board of Education settled a sexual harassment and assault case last week but won't share the amount of money paid to the victims' families.

Former Clearcreek Elementary gym teacher John Austin Hopkins, 29, was convicted on sexual misconduct charges in 2020 after prosecutors said he inappropriately touched first grade girls. There were more than 36 criminal incidents over a three-month period, and 28 students were involved. He was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Read the settlement agreement here or at the end of this story.

Some of the girls' parents filed a lawsuit against the school board, former superintendent Daniel Schroer and Clearcreek Elementary Principal Carrie Corder in 2019. They claimed other adults at the school and in district leadership were negligent.

The settlement agreement, approved by the school board June 14, says district and plaintiffs have, "amongst themselves and through their joint counsel, come to their own agreement as to allocation of the total settlement funds." But that amount was not disclosed in the document.

The document says the terms of the settlement are to be kept confidential and the claims laid out in the lawsuit are disputed and denied.

"The district has had no out-of-pocket expenses for this claim, at this time," a statement from the district reads. "The settlement sum amount, as agreed upon by Liberty Mutual Insurance/Netherlands Insurance Company and the claimants is not an out-of-pocket, district expense. The district expense for this claim could reach a maximum of $2,500, based on the district's insurance deductible for this claim."

Springboro makes changes to ensure child safety

Aside from money, the settlement requires the district make changes to ensure the safety of its students, and acknowledges changes that have already been made since Hopkins left the school.

Among those requirements are:

• Surveillance feed must be displayed at all times on at least one computer monitor located in the administrative office at Clearcreek Elementary.
• No "doorbells" will be permitted outside any building classrooms.
• Interior classroom windows cannot be covered with decorations, fabric or curtains.
• Each building must conduct annual in-person training to all staff on sexual harassment and abuse prevention and awareness.
• All students will receive annual training and exposure to curriculum that addresses "good-touch/bad-touch" and how to report related issues on the district's website.
• The district promises none of the victims' siblings will be assigned to Lisa Hopkins' classroom at Dennis Elementary.

The Enquirer is awaiting response from Springboro Schools on additional records requests.