Boise School District Sexual Abuse Claims Settled For $7 Million

The Boise School District has agreed to approximately $7 million in settlements connected to multiple child sexual abuse claims involving former Valley View Elementary School employee Gavin Snow, KTVB News Channel 7 reported today. Snow’s conduct came to light during a Boise Police Department investigation into child exploitation, and he died from a self-inflicted injury as officers attempted to arrest him in January 2025.

Seven families pursued legal claims after learning that Snow, a special education assistant, had allegedly produced sexual abuse material involving children. Although the families’ original tort claims totaled more than $152 million, the district announced that its insurance carrier will pay $2 million and the district itself will contribute $5 million. Boise schools said they will shift funds from non-classroom areas, including facility maintenance, to cover the cost and emphasized that instruction and student programming will not be affected.

Court approval is required before any settlement funds are released. One of the agreements, totaling $2,777,000, has already received judicial approval. The district was first alerted to the allegations when law enforcement informed school leaders that Snow’s seized electronic devices contained evidence of child exploitation. He was placed on administrative leave as the investigation unfolded. District officials notified impacted families immediately and later publicly acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations.

Following the incident, the Boise School District announced a series of safety and accountability reforms. These include updated reporting procedures, closer coordination with law enforcement, and new protocols designed to ensure children are better protected in school environments. Administrators have said that rebuilding trust will require consistent action, transparency, and a sustained commitment to student safety.

This case highlights a broader national pattern where institutional failures allow predatory employees to access vulnerable children. Survivors and their families often face complex legal barriers when pursuing justice, and institutional sexual abuse cases frequently involve difficult questions about supervision, policy failures, and accountability. These settlements may provide some measure of closure for the families involved, but they also underscore the need for stronger safeguards across all schools. For more information on this settlement, visit ParentSquare.com.