Mililani parents
sue teacher, DOE
in sexual assault case

They allege improper training
and failure to protect the students

By Debra Barayuga
Star-Bulletin

Convicted contract teacher Brian Ibaan and the Department of Education again face another civil lawsuit arising from his sexual assault of students at one of the schools where he taught.

The parents of two of his victims filed a complaint yesterday in Circuit Court that also named schools Superintendent Paul LeMahieu and Mililani Mauka Elementary Principal Penny Mau.

Ibaan was a part-time teacher with the Artists in the Schools program and taught classes on a rotational basis to Mililani Mauka, Barbers Point and Mauka Lani Elementary. He was convicted and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment in December 1999 for fondling 13 girls ages 9 and 10.

The lawsuit contends that Ibaan, the teacher who was supervising him and the principal were improperly trained in issues relating to sexual assault and harassment and failed to protect the students.

School officials breached their duty by failing to properly investigate and notify parents and police when the allegations arose, the suit said.

The girls have suffered psychological harm because of Ibaan's acts, the way school officials handled the situation, and harassment from their classmates, the suit said.

DOE Spokesman Greg Knudsen noted that Ibaan's contract was suspended immediately after the allegations first arose two years ago.

Ibaan underwent the standard criminal checks when he was hired as a contract teacher but had no prior convictions.

Ibaan's attorney in the criminal suit, Jerel Fonseca could not be reached for comment.