Simi Valley USD Superintendent Hani Youssef Under Investigation by California Department of Education
EDUCATIONFEATURED
The California Department of education has launched an investigation into Civil Rights Violations at Simi Valley Unified School District by Superintendent Hani Yossef and Assistant Superintendent Sean Goldman. On February 25, 2025, Yosseff and Goldman were sent a correspondence from the California Department of Education that stated that Simi Valley Unified School district and Youseff were being investigated.
The correspondence stated “This letter provides notification that the Complaint Investigation Unit, of the California Department of Education (CDE) Special Education Division (SEO) received correspondence (a signed complaint request or letter) alleging violations of special education laws and/or regulations. We have reviewed this correspondence and opened a compliance investigation according to the provisions of Code of Federal Regulations, Title 34, sections 300.151-300.153 and California Code of Regulations, Title 5, sections 3200-3204. “
The Amfed has confirmed with both Goldman and the California Department of Education that Simi Valley Unified School District has received the Notice of Investigation and has subsequently provided a response.
If the California Department of Education (CDE) finds a district violated the civil rights of students with disabilities under IDEA, the district may face corrective actions, including technical assistance, further assessments, training, compensatory education, and potentially facing a court proceeding or loss of state funding if the noncompliance is not corrected.
New Allegations of Abuse of Disabled Students at Simi Valley Unified School District
Simi Valley Assistant Superintendent Jerry Block has refused to investigate allegations of misconduct by teachers at Simi Valley Schools. According to parents, an allegation of teacher misconduct was made to the school principal, Simi Valley Director of Elementary Education Erin Taggart and Assistant Superintendent of Schools & Programs Jerry Block. The parents of the student of who was subject to the teacher by the teacher allege that Simi Valley Unified School District refused to investigate the allegations. Even more disturbing the Parents allege that they were subject to retaliation and harassment by Block and Taggart for making the claim.
Superintendent Hani Youseff and Assistant Superintendent Sean Goldman History of Ignoring the Rights and Safety of Disables and Special Education Students
Simi Valley Unified School District is believed to have paid approximately a $6.8 million settlement paid to families of special education students in a 2019 lawsuit involving teacher Christina Tonkin at Garden Grove Elementary School. Court documents revealed that between 2015 and 2018, Tonkin allegedly abused special needs children by grabbing them aggressively, dragging them across floors, and leaving them in soiled diapers. At the time of the allegations of the abuse of the special education students now Superintendent Hani Youseff was the district's assistant superintendent of educational services and Sean Goldman was Assistant Superintendent Department of Student Support Services
The families of the students who attend Garden Grove Elementary School alleged that Assistant Superintendent Sean Goldman actively worked to suppress reports of abuse that were brought to his attention. According to the detailed complaint, Goldman "threatened and intimidated school staff" in an effort to prevent the proper reporting of misconduct involving vulnerable children with disabilities, which included those with conditions such as Down syndrome, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy, among others.
Even more concerning, despite the fact that two separate investigations conducted by the Simi Valley Police Department, which were led by the now Simi Valley Police Chief Steven Shorts in the years 2015 and 2016, Shorts ultimately concluded with a finding of "no criminal liability." According to the attorneys representing the families involved, there were several troubling images and pieces of evidence that were presented to The Simi Valley Police Department and Shorts himself, including photographs that clearly showed children being improperly restrained in a manner that raises serious ethical questions. The settlement that was reached in the Garden Grove case represented only 10 families, yet attorney Ron Bamieh stated, "We believe there are potentially 50 to 80 victims of this woman," indicating a much larger issue at hand that requires further investigation and attention.
Allegations of Assistant Superintendent Goldman's Violating Student Civil Rights Under IDEA Will likely be Central to the Investigation by the California Department of Education.
As scrutiny intensifies in Simi Valley schools, the role and responsibilities of Assistant Superintendent Sean Goldman regarding his oversight of special education programs will likely emerge as a significant focal point in the ongoing investigation being conducted by the California Department of Education into allegations of misconduct at Simi Valley Unified.
Records obtained by both attorneys and local media in the ongoing Garden Grove Case have alleged that numerous abuse reports concerning the Simi Valley Unified School District were systematically dismissed under the supervision of Goldman. Even after mandated reporters took the necessary steps to file formal complaints in November 2015 and February 2016, it is reported that no substantive action was taken to protect the vulnerable students who were at risk. This lack of response raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of those affected.
In the Garden Grove case, Attorney Ron Bamieh pointed out that complaints regarding Tonkin's inappropriate behavior have been documented as far back as the year 2008. Despite the seriousness of these allegations, Goldman's department consistently failed to take any meaningful action to address these troubling claims. Furthermore, while the lawsuit ultimately resulted in a settlement that involved 10 children, Bamieh estimates that "potentially 50 to 80 victims" may have suffered under this negligent oversight. This alarming statistic indicates a much larger issue that remained unaddressed for an unacceptable length of time, raising significant concerns about accountability and the protection of vulnerable individuals who were at risk during this period of inaction.
The Garden Grove case is not the subject in the latest complaint against the Simi Valley Unified School District by the California Department of Education. However, it is important to note that if the California Department of Education ultimately finds against the Simi Valley Unified School District, then the Simi Valley School Board may be compelled to address and thoroughly review Sean Goldman’s performance in the specific context of the findings made by the California Department of Education. This review could lead to significant implications for both the district and Sean Goldman himself, depending on the outcomes of the investigation.
Are Disabled and Special education student unsafe under leadership of Sean Goldman
Parents have raised serious questions about whether any disabled students can be safe in a system where Goldman continues to oversee special education. Despite Goldman’s expansive responsibility, allegations continue to be made that his department actively works to silence concerned parents instead of investigating reported incidents. One parent described keeping her child home after discovering which they believed to be abuse by a teacher at Simi Valley Unified School District due the Superintendent Hani Youssef, and Assistant Superintendents Block and Goldman addressing the abuse.
California Department of Education Expands Probe Beyond Initial Complaints
What began as individual parent complaints about special education abuse and civil rights violations has now escalated into a comprehensive investigation, as the California Department of Education expands its probe beyond the initial civil rights complaints against Simi Valley schools. According to investigators this at the California Department of Education the investigation may be revered to other California State agencies. If the scope of the investigation expands, it could land on in the California Office of Civil Rights and possibly the California Department of Justice if a criminal investigation is warranted.
If the California Department of Education broadens its investigation scope beyond Superintendent Hani Yosseff's immediate actions, it may examine district-wide policies concerning special education students. This expansion could force the Simi Valley Unified School District to reevaluate its leadership and policies what it comes to providing a safe environment where students have Free Access To Public Education.
Conclusion
The California Department of Education's thorough investigation into the serious allegations of Civil Rights violations by Simi Valley Unified School District Superintendent Hani Youssef, along with his Assistant Superintendents, represents a crucial and necessary step toward ensuring that all students have a safe and supportive place to learn and grow. It is imperative that parents actively demand and advocate for safe environments specifically designed for disabled and special education students to thrive academically and socially. The findings of the California Department of Education may uncover deeply rooted and systemic problems within Simi Valley's Unified administrative approach to student safety and well-being. Above all, this case serves as a stark reminder of how unchecked administrative negligence can significantly endanger our most vulnerable students, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and reform within the educational system.
Simi Valley Unified School District Superintendent Hani Youssef
Dr. Jerry Block, Ed.D
Assistant Superintendent of Schools and Programs
Mr. Sean Goldman
Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services
