$ 26M settlement OK’d for Stoneman Douglas victims

A nearly four- year battle between Broward schools and the families most impacted by the Parkland tragedy ended Tuesday, with the School Board’s approval of two settlements worth just over $ 26 million.

Under the first settlement, the School Board agreed to pay $ 25 million to be shared by 51 plaintiffs, including 17 families whose loved ones were murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High during the mass shooting Feb. 14, 2018. The others were students or staff who were injured or suffered trauma from the shooting.

About $ 1 million will go to the estates of each of the 17 who died. Sixteen people who were injured will receive between $ 345,000 to about $ 777,000. Nineteen students who suffered trauma will receive $ 22,800. The settlement will be paid in three installments, the first one in 60 days, the second a year later and the third two years later.

The second settlement for $ 1.25 million will be paid in one lump sum to Anthony Borges, who suffered some of the most severe injuries. His lawyer split off from the larger case, saying Borges will have a lifetime of expensive medical needs.

“While we recognize no amount of money can make these families whole, it is the School Board’s hope that this settlement will show our heartfelt commitment to the MSD families, students, staff, faculty and to the entire Broward County community,” said Marylin Batista, interim general counsel for the School Board.

The payout is a far cry from what many families thought they’d be offered weeks after the tragedy. In the spring of 2018, the school district sent out a note to victims saying state law limits the district’s total liability to $ 300,000 for the entire incident.

“The School Board did things they weren’t legally obligated to do, so this is a step forward in the right direction,” said Alex Arreaza, a lawyer who represents Borges.

Two of the recipients are School Board members Lori Alhadeff, whose daughter Alyssa was killed in the tragedy, and Debbi Hixon, who lost her husband Chris, a coach and security monitor.

Neither participated in the School Board’s numerous closed- door discussions over the past few years, and both stayed outside the room as the settlement was approved.

The families still have open litigation against two former school district employees, security monitors Andrew Medina and David Taylor, accused of failing to respond once they were aware killer Nikolas Cruz was on campus.

They are also suing the Broward Sheriff ’s Office and Scot Peterson, a BSO school resource officer who didn’t enter the building during the shooting. Those cases are still pending.

Although family members have been outspoken in their criticism of the school district in the past, most have been reluctant to comment on the settlement. It’s an uncomfortable topic for many families, said Fred Guttenberg, who lost his daughter Jaime in the tragedy.

“I’m thankful the families are finally getting some of these things behind us and can get some peace and accountability,” Guttenberg said.