The Waltham School Department agreed to pay $150,000 last month to settle a federal lawsuit alleging the school system failed to properly investigate a former student’s claim of sexual abuse at the hands of a teacher. Michael Phillips Jr. sued the department in 2011, alleging the failure to investigate his claims of sexual abuse allowed former teacher Robert Dacey to abuse more kids.

The Waltham Daily News Tribune reports:

On June 18, the School Committee accepted the terms of the settlement. [Former Waltham High School Principal John] Graceffa recused himself from the vote and it was approved without opposition. “The actions by this teacher towards this young man were just most unfortunate without a doubt,’’ Graceffa said Thursday, but declined to comment further. Phillips’ attorney Carmen Durso, on Wednesday, said the School Committee decision to settle meant a lot to his client.

During a 2011 press conference, Phillips said he had informed the school of the abuse he and other students experienced at the hands of Dacey, but the school system took no further action.


Dacey was eventually charged with 17 counts of child molestation. He died in 2007, before he could stand trial against the charges.