Three families whose nonverbal, autistic students were abused by a bus aide reached a $3.85 million settlement with Littleton Public Schools on Thursday evening.
Kiarra Jones, 30, pleaded guilty this month to several counts of assault and child abuse. She is scheduled to be sentenced in March.
Parents of the three students, who rely on caregivers to provide for their basic needs, sued The Joshua School, a school for kids ages 3 to 21 with developmental disabilities, after bus surveillance footage showed Jones assaulting children on three separate bus rides in 2023 and 2024.
The families alleged in the lawsuit that school officials “repeatedly failed to act,” as required by state law, to report abuse when children arrived at school with scratches and bruises.
Littleton Public Schools has since changed its policies, mandating a weekly review of bus surveillance, attorneys representing the families said. Bus footage must be saved for 30 days.
“We are encouraged that the school district has recognized the harms inflicted on our son. We pray this leads to meaningful changes that ensure no child ever has to endure what these boys went through,” Brittany and Kevin Yarbrough, parents of one of the students, said in a statement.
“When these allegations first came to light, the school board attempted to dismiss our concerns. As parents of children with special needs, we are their voice — and we are relieved that the school board is listening now.”
A special transportation task force, made up of parents, district staff and experts, will continue to meet regularly to recommend changes in transportation policies and oversight, superintendent Todd Lambert said in a letter sent to district families Thursday.
The settlement approved by Littleton Public Schools Board of Education will be fully funded through insurance, Lambert said.
“LPS aspires to be a state leader in safeguarding the children we serve,” he said. “We will continue to look for ways to strengthen our practices, communicate transparency with you, and to do everything in our power to ensure the safety, dignity and well-being of every student in our care.”