$25 million claim accuses Valley teacher of molesting up to 20 girls
A Peoria elementary school teacher awaiting trial on charges of molesting students is the center of a $25 million notice of claim filed against the district.
The claim notice, which is often the precursor to a lawsuit, was filed in October by an attorney representing an alleged 11-year-old victim.
The student is one of 15 to 20 other young girls who were “molested and sexually assaulted” during the 2018-19 school year, the claim says.
Prosecutors have identified 12 victims dating to 2010, according to court records.
Teacher’s trial set for April
Ricky Ordway, 44, was arrested in May on suspicion of inappropriately touching fifth-grade girls at Sun Valley Elementary School, where he taught computer science.
Ordway awaits trial for 11 counts of child molestation, three counts of sexual abuse and 10 counts of attempt to commit child molestation.
It’s unclear how many of the alleged incidents occurred during the school day or on school property.
Most of the alleged crimes occurred last school year, but four date to summer 2010, court records say.
Ordway is still employed by the Peoria Unified School District. He is on paid administrative leave “as we wait for the outcome of his trial,” spokeswoman Danielle Airey wrote in an email.
Ordway, who is out on bail, pleaded not guilty in August and his case will go to trial on April 16.
Claim: ‘Severe sexual predator behavior’
The claim notice does not name the minor child. The Arizona Republic typically does not name victims of sexual crimes.
Ordway showed “severe sexual predator behavior” that “no rational educator could deem as anything other than highly, grossly inappropriate behavior,” according to the claim.
The Peoria district ignored the warning signs by failing to address the alleged predatory behavior and failing to properly train its employees in reporting abusive behavior, the claim says.
School district officials would not comment on the claim.