3 Berkeley High custodians sue over sexual harassment, gender discrimination
This is the second lawsuit since 2019 to describe a culture of sexual harassment and unequal treatment in Berkeley High’s custodial department.
Sexual harassment
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District settles sexual assault lawsuit that sparked Berkeley High walkout
A former student had sued the Berkeley school district for negligence after she said she was assaulted in a classroom three years ago.
Berkeleyside’s Ally Markovich wins SPJ NorCal award for speaking ‘truth to power’
She won a James Madison Freedom of Information Award for her deep dive into sexual misconduct allegations against a Berkeley High teacher.
Related stories
Update: Teacher in sexual assault suits has license revoked
Matthew Bissell is no longer allowed to teach in California public schools after a commission permanently revoked his teaching credential.
Remembering Barbara S. Bryant, Berkeley Law lecturer, sexual harassment legal expert, avid hiker
Bryant summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, hiked the John Muir Trail, attended 100-plus performances at Berkeley Rep and San Francisco Opera, and rode a Harley-Davidson in San Francisco’s Pride Parade.
Buffy Wicks considers legal changes to prevent educator sexual misconduct from getting ‘swept under the rug’
Prompted by Berkeleyside’s investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against a Berkeley High teacher, Wicks is considering changes to the California Public Records Act and Education Code.
In 2nd lawsuit, another student accuses Berkeley High chemistry teacher of sexual assault
The suit argues that the Berkeley school district’s inaction reveals a pattern of protecting “predators over students.”
Berkeley High knew for 15 years of allegations chemistry teacher sexually harassed students
After years of sexual misconduct complaints, the school district signed a gag order allowing Matthew Bissell to quietly resign.
Berkeley Unified sheds light on plans to improve Title IX office
Changes are coming to the district’s sexual harm reporting process, the result of mounting community pressure to better protect survivors.
Student’s testimony puts pressure on school board to move faster on sexual harm reforms
A Berkeley High student gave a harrowing account of what happened when she tried to report her sexual assault in 2019, hoping to spur action.
She tried to reform Berkeley Unified’s Title IX office. After 6 months of frustration, she quit.
Mardi Walters resigned as Title IX coordinator in February 2020 after trying to fix how the Berkeley school district handles sexual misconduct. Now she’s speaking publicly for the first time about why she left.
Former Berkeley High teacher Matthew Bissell tried to dodge being served with sexual assault lawsuit, source says
Matthew Bissell was finally served on Aug. 19, two months after the lawsuit was initially filed.
