Simi Valley Unified Assistant Superintendent Accused of Covering Up Student abuse AGAINReports
A Criminal Investigation Related to Allegations of Abuse of Disabled Students at Vista Fundamental School And a Cover up by Asst. Supt Sean Goldman
WHAT’S GOING ON
Simi Valley USD Asst. Superintendent Sean Goldman has been accused of hiding Student abuse at Simi Valley Unified Schools AGAIN. A criminal investigation is currently underway, focusing on serious allegations a Simi Valley Unified School District teacher at engaged in the abuse of disabled students. The Teacher who is accused of engaging in this alleged student is currently on administrative leave.
Simi Valley Unified School District has hired Lise Kirsten Ström, who serves as a Senior Counsel in the law firm Garcia Hernández Sawhney, LLP’s San Francisco Bay Area office. Her role will be to thoroughly investigate whether SVUSD Assistant Superintendents Sean Goldman and Jerry Block were involved in the alleged coverup of student abuse. This investigation aims to ensure accountability and transparency within the district, investigate allegations of student abuse and whether Sean Goldman engaged in harassment, intimidation and retaliation against parents who blew the whistle on the Student Abuse . Sources that have contacted the AmFed have alleged that there is overwhelming evidence of misconduct by Goldman and Block that will likely fall at the feet of Superintendent Hani Youssef for failing to manage his district staff and protect SVUSD students district employees that engaged in Student abuse. .
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT
SVUSD ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT SEAN GOLDMAN HAS A HISTORY OF BEING ACCUSED OF IGNORING ABUSE AT SVUSD
Hani Youssef Sean Goldman
The pattern of alleged misconduct by Hani Youssef and Sean Goldman is well documented and has raised significant concerns within the community. A civil complaint, which was filed in May 2019, provides a detailed account of systematic abuse directed towards kindergarten students with disabilities during the period spanning from 2015 to 2018. The complaint outlines numerous disturbing instances of inappropriate behavior, including but not limited to grabbing, dragging, and slapping children. The allegations include: “Placing plaintiffs and other students in choke holds with her arms and legs; inappropriate means of physical contact; throwing away lunches of plaintiffs and other students who require assistance to eat to avoid having to feed them; picking plaintiffs and other students up and then intentionally dropping them back on the floor; hitting plaintiffs and other students and grabbing them so aggressively as to leave bruises on parts of their bodies; mimicking and mocking plaintiffs and other students with disabilities.” In total, there are 15 allegations listed in the complaint, each highlighting a different aspect of the alleged misconduct.
Sean Goldman, who serves as SVUSD’s assistant superintendent of student support services, excused SVUSD faculty and administrators placing special needs students in "choke holds" stating that the education code does allow for a student to be physically restrained when a student’s behavior poses a danger to themselves or others, which raises further questions about the appropriateness of the actions taken in these situations. The implications of these allegations are profound and warrant thorough investigation.
In response to serious allegations that disabled and special education students in Garden Grove were coming home from school with visible bruised faces after being struck, Jake Finch, the Public Information Officer for SVUSD, stated emphatically, “The safety of our children means more than anything else. Our kids have to be safe.” This statement underscores the district's commitment to ensuring a secure and supportive environment for all students, particularly those with special needs.
“We want to assure everyone that when these allegations were brought to our attention in 2015, we took immediate action and investigated the situation,” the district said in its statement.
“The Student Support Services Department, under the leadership of Sean Goldman, assistant superintendent, took immediate action and investigated the situation,” Finch said.
“At that time, neither the district’s investigation, nor the investigation conducted by the SVPD, provided evidence to substantiate the concerns raised.”
Simi Valley Police Department Cmdr. Steve Shorts confirmed that two incidents were investigated by police on Nov. 12, 2015 and Feb. 17, 2016.
SVPD Steve Shorts
The complaint also names Goldman, alleging that he “threatened and intimidated school staff” to keep them from reporting the alleged abuse and “deliberately failed to inform parents.”
New Allegations of Simi Valley Unified School District Sean Goldman and Jerry Block Covering Up Student Abuse at Vista Fundamental School
For years serious allegations that Superintendent Hani Youssef, along with Assistant Superintendent Sean Goldman and Jerry Block, have been involved in various cover-ups at SVUSD, raising significant concerns among the community.
Jerry Block
The allegations of a cover-up related accusation of the recent student abuse at Simi Valley currently being investigated by Simi Valley PD, the California Department of Education, the California Commission on teacher credentialing, mirror those in the Garden Grove case. In fact, information obtained by the AmFed shows that Assistant Superintendent Jerry Block and Sean Goldman, violated SVUSD Policy and refused to address that allegation of Student abuse at Vista Fundamental School for almost 5 months.
However, neither Principal Brandi Young, Youssef, Block or Goldman took any effort to abide by Simi Valley Unified School district policy. Instead, it is alleged that Block and Goldman worked with Erin Taggart Simi Valley USD Director of Elementary Education to falsify information in district documents. If these allegations are substantiated Taggart, Block and Goldman could be criminally charged under California penal code section PC 115 a felony crime that applies to anyone who knowingly offers or causes a false or forged document to be filed in a public office. Taggart could face up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
SVUSD Erin Taggart Accused Filing False Documents
Similar allegations of Youssef, Goldman and Block’s involvement in similar cover-up activities related to the student abuse of disabled students at Vista Fundamental.
Multiple staff members have come forward with sworn statements indicating Goldman actively suppressed reports of student mistreatment over several years, creating what one teacher described as "a culture of silence and fear."
Furthermore, the situation has intensified as evidence suggests that Superintendent Sean Goldman allegedly participated in concealing abuse reports, with district officials reportedly threatening staff members who attempted to report the misconduct. What makes this case particularly concerning is that the affected students, who have conditions such as Down syndrome, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy, were especially vulnerable due to their limited communication abilities.
Goldman, Block and Taggart Retaliate Against Parents and Teachers that Report Student Abuse SVUSD.
Goldman's alleged tactics at SVUSD followed a consistent pattern. When Parents, teachers or staff reported concerns about potential abuse, these reports were allegedly classified as "behavioral incidents" rather than abuse allegations. This administrative reclassification meant mandatory reporting protocols were not followed. In one instance, a special education aide who documented concerning behaviors by another staff member found her written reports mysteriously missing from school files after submitting them to Goldman's office.
The most troubling allegations that have come to light involve Garden Grove Elementary and Vista Fundamental School, where numerous parents claim that their children, who have special needs, suffered both physical and emotional abuse at the hands of staff. When these concerned parents approached district administration with their serious concerns, they allegedly faced systematic dismissal and disregard from Goldman and his leadership team, which only exacerbated their distress and frustration.
Superintendent Hani Youssef reportedly worked closely with Goldman in managing these serious allegations. Former district employees allege that Youssef implemented a retaliatory system against those who insisted on a thorough and proper investigation of abuse claims. This system reportedly included several punitive measures, such as: Sudden negative performance reviews for previously well-rated employees, which came as a shock to many; Reassignment to different schools or positions with little notice, causing disruption; and Exclusion from professional development opportunities, limiting career growth and advancement.
The emerging pattern at SVUSD bears striking resemblance to the allegations at Garden Grove Elementary, suggesting what parent advocates call "a transferable playbook" for concealing abuse allegations that followed Goldman throughout his administrative career.
Evidence of Systematic Cover-up
As lawsuits continue to mount against Simi Valley Unified School District (SVUSD), the evidence pointing to Sean Goldman's alleged involvement in the concealment of various abuse cases grows increasingly compelling and difficult to ignore. The district, which has shockingly paid out millions in settlements over the past decade to former students who claimed that teachers physically and emotionally abused them, now faces serious scrutiny and intense public criticism over its administrative conduct and decision-making processes. This situation raises significant concerns about accountability and transparency within the district especially related to Superintendent Hani Youssef.
Allegations of misconduct continue to mount against SVUSD Superintendent Hani Youssef, raising serious concerns within the community. On April 5, 2025 a social media post was made on the platform “Next Door,” which is known for local discussions, encouraging parents of SVUSD to join Simi Valley School Board Member Dr. Ron Resnick in a collective effort to hold Superintendent Hani Youssef accountable for allegedly covering up investigations at SVUSD, which has sparked significant public interest and debate.
Conclusion
Evidence overwhelmingly suggests Sean Goldman orchestrated a systematic effort to suppress abuse reports while leading Simi Valley Unified School District. Multiple staff testimonies, internal documents, and legal proceedings paint a disturbing picture of administrative misconduct spanning nearly a decade.
Documented cases reveal a troubling and consistent pattern of Goldman's behavior, which includes covering up incidents, retaliating against parents, and harassing both parents and employees. This behavior effectively circumvents mandatory reporting requirements that are in place for the protection of individuals. Staff members faced significant professional retaliation for fulfilling their legal obligations to report suspected abuse, thereby creating an environment where silence became a means of self-preservation for many.
It appears that Goldman and Block may have engaged SVUSD administrator Erin Taggart in potentially serious criminal activities that violate the California Penal Code section 115PC, which addresses specific offenses related to false documents and perjury. If they are charged with these serious offenses and subsequently convicted of the felony, this could lead to a significant and substantial sentence of three years in jail, along with the possibility of incurring thousands of dollars in fines as a direct consequence of their actions and decisions, which could have far-reaching implications for their future and reputations.
Most troubling remains the significant and deeply concerning impact on special education students - particularly vulnerable children who possess limited communication abilities and who suffered abuse at schools such as Garden Grove and Vista Fundamental School. This alarming situation occurred while district leadership actively worked to suppress reports of such incidents, creating an environment of fear and silence. Their families encountered systematic dismissal and disregard when seeking help and support, which only compounded their distress and frustration. Ultimately, this negligence led to millions of dollars in settlements as a result of the harm and suffering these families endured, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and reform within the educational system to protect these vulnerable students.
Serious actions need to be taken related to child abuse at Simi Valley Unified School District, beginning with a comprehensive and thorough overhaul of reporting protocols as well as administrative accountability measures that are essential for effective governance. Parents, educators, and community members must unite to demand transparency and proper protections for students, ensuring their safety and well-being. Ultimately, this case serves as a stark and powerful reminder that protecting vulnerable children requires constant vigilance and swift, decisive action against those who would choose to hide abuse rather than take proactive steps to prevent it.
