(UPDATED, 1:56 p.m. Wednesday, with additional information on tort claims against the Boise district.)

The Boise School District will pay out $7 million to close seven sexual abuse claims — and most of the money will come from the district’s coffers.

The district announced the settlements Tuesday morning.

More coverage: The district answered more questions about the settlement Thursday. Click here for details.

The settlement agreements will close seven families’ tort claims against the district — all pertaining to Gavin Snow, a former special education assistant at Boise’s Cynthia Mann and Valley View elementary schools. Snow died by suicide on Jan. 10, as Boise police officers attempted to arrest him on child sexual abuse charges.

While not identical, the tort claims leveled similar allegations that followed a disturbing pattern. The parents said Snow exploited and abused their children, photographing them in school bathrooms or sensory rooms. The claims also accused Boise administrators of negligence, or failing to properly investigate complaints against Snow.

The first of the claims was filed on March 10 — a month before the district issued a public apology to Valley View parents and staff. The Boise district has received at least $154 million in tort claims directly or indirectly involving Snow, according to records obtained by Idaho Education News. The claims sought damages ranging from $500,000 to $50 million.

The settlements announced Tuesday represent only a fraction of the initial claims, but the agreements do not take the district entirely off the hook. Boise’s insurance carrier will cover only $2 million.

“The remaining $5 million will be paid by the district by reducing funding to non-classroom related expenses, including the district’s facility maintenance fund,” the district said in a statement Tuesday morning. “The district’s contribution toward the settlements will not reduce current classroom instruction or student programming. Funds previously planned for transfer into the Plant Facilities Fund will be adjusted to meet this obligation, ensuring that day-to-day educational operations remain fully supported.”

Idaho Education News filed a public records request Monday for any Snow-related settlement agreements and supporting documents. On Tuesday morning, the district declined to release any agreements to EdNews, citing an exemption to public records law that requires only the release of “statistical data and actual amounts paid in (a) settlement.”

Minutes earlier, the district issued a public statement announcing the settlement agreements.

All of the settlements must go through court. One settlement, totaling nearly $2.78 million, has already been approved, the district said Tuesday morning.

The settlements come months after a Boise police investigation, and seven months after the district’s public apology.

In an April 8 letter, Superintendent Lisa Roberts acknowledged that “a single employee was involved in multiple instances of inappropriate behavior with more than one student in the bathroom and sensory room at Valley View.” At the same time, the district also announced several policy changes, stemming from the complaints against Snow. For example, staff can no longer have phones with them when they diaper a student or help a student use the bathroom, and doors to sensory rooms must remain open.

“Our commitment to improving student safety, transparency, and openness is ongoing and unwavering,” district administrators said in a statement Tuesday. “We recognize that restoring trust requires sustained action, and we remain dedicated to ensuring every student feels safe, supported, and valued in our schools.”

The settlement agreements might address all parents’ claims regarding Snow, to date.

As of last week, EdNews had reported on seven tort claims directly or indirectly linked to Snow, including six claims from parents.

The district did not respond to questions from EdNews Tuesday or Wednesday morning, and early Wednesday afternoon, EdNews filed a records request for any additional tort claims regarding Snow. District spokesman Dan Hollar responded later Wednesday afternoon, and said it “appears” EdNews has received all Snow-related claims against the district.

Tort claims represent an important first step in the paper trail. A tort claim is not a civil lawsuit, but is a precursor to a potential lawsuit.

One Snow-related tort claim has already resulted in a lawsuit, according to an EdNews search of court records. This June 26 lawsuit remains active, with a hearing scheduled for Dec. 9. But the purpose of this hearing is simply to approve a settlement, said Matthew Gunn, the attorney representing parents in the case. In an email to EdNews Tuesday, Gunn declined further comment.

A second attorney said the settlement closes a “grueling process” for his clients.

Former teacher files complaint regarding ‘mandatory report’

Late last week, the Boise district received another Snow-related tort claim — this one from a former teacher.

Marianne Baker filed notice of a $1 million tort claim Thursday. She says she was suspended, and ultimately forced to resign, after filing a mandatory report against Snow.

Baker says she was “teacher of record” for Valley View’s structured learning center for kindergarten through second-grade special education students. She said she filed a report regarding Snow on Jan. 7, three days before Snow died by suicide.

Baker says she was placed on administrative leave, without explanation, on Feb. 21, and says she was forced to resign on May 7.

“No due process was ever followed in dealing with Ms. Baker’s employment situation and eventual forced resignation,” the claim says.

It’s unclear whether this tort claim falls under the settlement announced by the Boise district on Tuesday — an agreement that closed seven claims. Baker’s claim means the district has received at least eight complaints directly or indirectly connected to Snow, from parents and staff.

Late last week, the district denied any wrongdoing regarding Baker.

“The district denies any allegation asserting that Ms. Baker was denied due process,” spokesman Dan Hollar said in an email. “The district also denies any allegation that Ms. Baker was terminated from her employment.”

CBS2 News first reported Friday on Baker’s tort claim.