Sonoma Academy investigation — Kaylee Alyssa Tornay

Apr 25

Apr 25 Sonoma Academy investigation

In May 2021, a group of female graduates from Sonoma Academy approached The Press Democrat with a story of sexual harassment and institutional betrayal. They had experienced what they described as inappropriate and boundary-crossing behavior from a longtime teacher while they were students at the school. One had tried three times as a student and alumna to get the school to take her experiences seriously. When they approached us, the teacher had been fired, but the women were finding little success trying to get Sonoma Academy to be transparent about the circumstances surrounding his departure. They worried he would be able to find work as a teacher elsewhere - which, our investigation found, he had done.

We published our first piece in June and published dozens of articles over the rest of the year.

Here is a selection of pieces that show our impact:

June 9, 2021: Sonoma Academy graduates detail sweeping allegations of improper behavior by former teacher

June 9, 2021: How we reported on Sonoma Academy

June 12, 2021: Sonoma Academy graduates known years ago as ‘Marco’s Girls’ spotlight teacher’s sexual harassment, school inaction

June 14, 2021: Former head of Sonoma Academy responds to graduates alleging inaction on teacher’s harassment

June 15, 2021: Sonoma Academy grad decries ex-school chief’s ‘failure’ to stop teacher’s harassment

June 19, 2021: Sonoma Academy will pursue wider misconduct investigation sought by alumni in wake of teacher’s firing

June 19, 2021: 'It was allowed to happen’: Sonoma Academy male grads condemn handling of teacher’s misconduct

Nov. 29, 2021: Report: 34 Sonoma Academy students exposed to misconduct by former teacher; two ex-staff members accused of sexual abuse

Nov. 30, 2021: Former Sonoma Academy head sorry for ‘missteps,’ disputes some misconduct findings

Dec. 1, 2021: Sonoma Academy graduate sues school in wake of sex abuse, misconduct revelations