Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-00355/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-00355-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1343 Violation of Civil Rights

---

Stipulation Re: Settlement of Minors’ Claims, Declaration of 

Douglas L. Hurt in Support of Disputed Claims of Minors, and 

[Proposed] Order Approving Disputed Claims of Minors 

(CCP §372) 

- 1

LAW OFFICES OF DOUGLAS L. HURT 

2534 W. Main Street 

Visalia, CA 93291 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

DOUGLAS L. HURT #124116 

LAW OFFICES OF DOUGLAS L. HURT 

2534 W. Main Street 

Visalia, CA 93291 

Telephone: (559) 635-3333 

Facsimile: (559) 733-0558 

Attorney for Petitioner, Colleen Kelly Pankey 

 as Guardian ad Litem for Keith 

 Pankey and Kevin Pankey 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

KEITH PANKEY AND KEVIN PANKEY, BY AND 

THROUGH THEIR GUARDIAN AD LITEM, COLLEEN 

KELLY PANKEY, 

 Plaintiffs, 

vs. 

VISALIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, ET. AL., 

 Defendants 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

Case No.: 1:06-CV-00355-AWI-SMS 

STIPULATION RE: SETTLEMENT OF 

MINORS’ CLAIMS, DECLARATION OF 

DOUGLAS L. HURT IN SUPPORT OF 

DISPUTED CLAIMS OF MINORS, AND 

 ORDER APPROVING COMPROMISE OF 

DISPUTED CLAIMS OF MINORS 

(CCP §372) 

 

IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED by and between plaintiffs KEITH PANKEY and KEVIN PANKEY, BY 

AND THROUGH THEIR GUARDIAN AD LITEM, COLLEEN KELLY PANKEY, and defendants, through their 

respective counsel that minors KEITH PANKEY and KEVIN PANKEY’S claims be settled for $20,000.00 

each. The full terms of the settlement are stated at Exhibit A. 

/// 

/// 

/// 

/// 

/// 

PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com

Case 1:06-cv-00355-AWI -SMS Document 22 Filed 05/11/07 Page 1 of 8
Stipulation Re: Settlement of Minors’ Claims, Declaration of 

Douglas L. Hurt in Support of Disputed Claims of Minors, and 

[Proposed] Order Approving Disputed Claims of Minors 

(CCP §372) 

- 2

LAW OFFICES OF DOUGLAS L. HURT 

2534 W. Main Street 

Visalia, CA 93291 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

DATED: 5/10/07 NELSON, ROZIER & BETTENCOURT 

 /s/John Rozier 

 By: John Rozier, Attorney for 

 Defendants 

DATED: 5/10/07 LAW OFFICES OF DOUGLAS L. HURT 

 /s/Douglas L. Hurt 

 By: Douglas L. Hurt, Attorney for 

 Plaintiffs 

DECLARATION OF DOUGLAS L. HURT 

I, Douglas L. Hurt, declare: 

1. I am an attorney licensed to practice in the State of California. I make the following 

statements based upon my personal knowledge, and if called to testify, could and would testify 

competently to the facts stated herein. 

2. I represent the minors in this matter, KEITH PANKEY and KEVIN PANKEY, in their 

claims against defendant VISALIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, et. al., for injuries and damages 

resulting from alleged racial discrimination at Golden West High School as more particularly described in 

their civil Complaint. I prepared the Petition for Compromise of Disputed Claims of Minors filed with this 

declaration. I have advised the minors’ mother, Colleen Kelly Pankey, that the offer of $20,000.00 for 

each minor by defendant VISALIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT to settle this matter is reasonable under 

the circumstances, for the reasons explicated below. 

3. The primary reason for settlement is to avoid unnecessary litigation on this claim. This 

claim arises from allegations of racial discrimination against minors KEITH PANKEY and KEVIN PANKEY 

while attending Golden West High School (“GWHS”) in Visalia, California beginning in August, 2003. The 

minors are African American. 

I declare under penalty of perjury, under the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing is 

true and correct of my own personal knowledge, except as to matters stated upon information and belief, 

PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com

Case 1:06-cv-00355-AWI -SMS Document 22 Filed 05/11/07 Page 2 of 8
Stipulation Re: Settlement of Minors’ Claims, Declaration of 

Douglas L. Hurt in Support of Disputed Claims of Minors, and 

[Proposed] Order Approving Disputed Claims of Minors 

(CCP §372) 

- 3

LAW OFFICES OF DOUGLAS L. HURT 

2534 W. Main Street 

Visalia, CA 93291 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

and as to such matters I am informed and believe that they are true and correct. Executed this 10th day 

of May, 2007 at Visalia, California. 

 

 /s/Douglas L. Hurt 

 Douglas L. Hurt 

Upon the evidence introduced the court finds that it is in the best interests of the minors that 

said claims be compromised and settled for the amount hereinafter stated and that the proceeds of 

such settlement be paid and used in the manner hereinafter specifically provided: 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED: 

A. That said compromise be and it is hereby approved and that upon payment of the sum of 

$20,000.00 for each minor being the total settlement sum herein approved in the manner herein provided, 

the Payor shall be fully and forever released and discharged of and from all claims, charges and demands of 

said minor arising from the accident mentioned in said petition. 

B. The full terms of settlement are stated at Exhibit A. 

C. Petitioner shall disburse the proceeds of the settlement hereby approved in the following 

manner: 

(a) Attorney’s fees to Douglas L. Hurt $10,000.00 

(b) Costs expended by Douglas L. Hurt $ 3,524.65 

TOTAL ALLOWANCES FOR FEES & EXPENSES $13,524.65 

1. That the balances of the settlement sum, to wit, $13,237.67 to each 

minor, shall be deposited into a blocked account, payable upon minors’ 

18th birthday, 6/12/07. 

D. Upon receipt of the full amount of the settlement sum herein approved and the deposit 

of the funds, Petitioner is hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver to said Payor a full, 

complete, and final release and discharge of any and all claims and demands of said minor by reason of 

the accident described in said petition and the resultant injuries and damages to said minor. 

DATED: 5/11/2007 /s/ Sandra M. Snyder 

 SANDRA M. SNYDER 

 U.S. Magistrate Judge 

PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com

Case 1:06-cv-00355-AWI -SMS Document 22 Filed 05/11/07 Page 3 of 8
Stipulation Re: Settlement of Minors’ Claims, Declaration of 

Douglas L. Hurt in Support of Disputed Claims of Minors, and 

[Proposed] Order Approving Disputed Claims of Minors 

(CCP §372) 

- 4

LAW OFFICES OF DOUGLAS L. HURT 

2534 W. Main Street 

Visalia, CA 93291 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

EXHIBIT “A” 

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE 

 Plaintiffs, Kieth Pankey and Kevin Pankey, minors, by and through their Guardian ad 

Litem, Colleen Kelly Pankey (collectively “Plaintiffs”), and Defendants, Visalia Unified School District 

(“VUSD”), Stan Carrizosa, Bob Cesena, Diane Biehle, Andy Thornberg, Alfonzo Guzman and Nacho Lerma 

(collectively “Defendants”), enter into this SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE (the “Settlement 

Agreement”) effective as of the Effective Date (as defined below). 

 Plaintiffs and Defendant (collectively “the Parties” and each a “Party”) enter into this 

Settlement Agreement with reference to the following facts: 

A. On or about June 9, 2006, Plaintiffs filed a First Amended Complaint in the United States 

District Court for the Eastern District of California (No. 1:06-CV-00355-AWI-DLB) asserting federal equal 

protection and due process claims as well as statutory claims under the California Education and Civil 

Codes (the “Action”). 

B. Defendants deny the allegations in the First Amended Complaint. 

C. The parties to this Settlement Agreement wish to resolve all disputes between them 

without admission of liability or wrongdoing, as provided herein. 

 NOW, THEREFORE, IT HEREBY IS AGREED BY AND BETTWEN THE PARTIES TO THIS 

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AS FOLLOWS: 

 

1. Effective Date. The “Effective Date” of this Settlement Agreement shall be the 

date upon which a fully executed dismissal has been filed with the Court. 

2. Authority and Approvals. Each party to this Settlement Agreement understands 

and agrees that this agreement is subject to the following approvals: 

a. The monetary commitment of VUSD is subject to approval by the Board 

of the JPA to which they belong; 

b. The non-monetary commitment of VUSD is subject to approval by the 

VUSD School Board; 

c. This entire agreement may be subject to Court approval as it involved 

claims of minors, or for other reasons. The Parties shall each use their 

best efforts and cooperate in good faith to obtain the necessary 

approvals. 

3. Payment by VUSD to Plaintiffs. In consideration for this Settlement Agreement, 

VUSD will pay Plaintiffs the total sum of $40,000.00 to be divided amongst Keith 

Pankey, Kevin Pankey and their attorney as they see fit and as the Court may 

approve. 

4. Releases and Covenants Not to Sue. In consideration for this Settlement 

Agreement and the terms and conditions hereof, the plaintiffs agree as follows: 

PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com

Case 1:06-cv-00355-AWI -SMS Document 22 Filed 05/11/07 Page 4 of 8
Stipulation Re: Settlement of Minors’ Claims, Declaration of 

Douglas L. Hurt in Support of Disputed Claims of Minors, and 

[Proposed] Order Approving Disputed Claims of Minors 

(CCP §372) 

- 5

LAW OFFICES OF DOUGLAS L. HURT 

2534 W. Main Street 

Visalia, CA 93291 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

a. Releases of Defendants by Plaintiffs. Plaintiffs Keith Pankey and Kevin 

Pankey, for themselves, their successors, and their assigns hereby fully 

and forever release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue 

Defendants VUSD, Stan Carrizosa, Bob Cesena, Diane Biehle, Andy 

Thornberg, Alfonzo Guzman, Nacho Lerma, individually and/or 

collectively, and any of their respective Board Members, employees, 

predecessors, successors, attorneys, and assigns, from and for any and 

all Released Claims, as defined in the subparagraph 4(b) below. 

b. Released Claims. “Released Claims” means any and all claims, demands, 

causes of action, rights of appeal, costs, expenses, damages, judgments, 

orders and liabilities of whatever kind or nature, in law, equity or 

otherwise, including but not limited to claims for attorneys’ fees or costs 

(all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as “Claims”), whether 

now known or unknown, vested or contingent, suspected or 

unsuspected, that have existed or may have existed, or that do exist as 

of the Effective Date, as a result of transactions, occurrences, acts or 

omissions that have occurred as of the Effective Date, which Claims arise 

out o f or in any way related to (i) Keith Pankey and Kevin Pankey’s 

enrollment in VUSD schools, attendance at VUSD schools, and status as 

students in the VUSD, including but not limited to claims for physical and 

emotional injuries; (ii) any and all claims made by Keith Pankey and 

Kevin Pankey in the First Amended Complaint. For purposes of 

determining whether Claims arose prior to the Effective Date of this 

Settlement Agreement, no tolling or other extensions of accrual that 

might be legally applicable to statutes of limitation will be considered. 

Nothing contained herein is intended to prevent any Party from enforcing 

the Settlement Agreement. 

c. Waiver of Unknown Claims. Plaintiffs hereby knowingly and voluntarily 

waive any and all rights and benefits otherwise conferred by the 

provisions of Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which reads in full 

as follows: 

 “A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND 

 TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES 

 NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS 

 FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE 

 RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST 

 HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT 

 WITH THE DEBTOR. 

Plaintiffs expressly consent that, notwithstanding Section 1542 of the 

California Civil Code, or any other statute or rule of law of similar import 

whether enacted or in force in California or in any other State of the 

United States or any other nation of the world, this general release shall 

be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express 

terms and provisions, including those relating to unknown or 

unsuspected Claims that exist as of the Effective Date. This waiver is a 

material term of this release and the settlement of which it is a part. 

5. Non-monetary Commitments by VUSD. Subject to applicable law, VUSD agrees 

to use its best efforts and cooperate in good faith to accomplish the nonPDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com

Case 1:06-cv-00355-AWI -SMS Document 22 Filed 05/11/07 Page 5 of 8
Stipulation Re: Settlement of Minors’ Claims, Declaration of 

Douglas L. Hurt in Support of Disputed Claims of Minors, and 

[Proposed] Order Approving Disputed Claims of Minors 

(CCP §372) 

- 6

LAW OFFICES OF DOUGLAS L. HURT 

2534 W. Main Street 

Visalia, CA 93291 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

monetary commitments specified in Attachment “A” through the 2008-2009 

school year. 

6. Other Facts. The parties to this Settlement Agreement acknowledge and 

understand that it is possible that they, or their agents or attorneys, may 

discover Claims facts different from or additional to the ones they presently 

believe to exist concerning this Settlement Agreement or the Claims 

compromised or released hereby. Each of the Parties to this Settlement 

Agreement expressly accepts and assumes the risk of any such different or 

additional Claims or facts, and agrees that this Settlement Agreement, and the 

compromises, releases and other provisions hereof, shall remain effective 

notwithstanding the discovery of any such different or additional Claims or facts. 

7. No Admissions. This Settlement Agreement is entered into in compromise of 

disputed claims. Neither this Settlement Agreement, nor the releases provided 

for herein, nor the consideration provided hereunder, nor any other act or 

agreement in furtherance of this settlement, shall be construed in any way as an 

admission of wrongdoing or liability on the part of any Party to this Settlement 

Agreement. Each of the Parties to this Settlement Agreement completely denies 

any such liability or wrongdoing. 

8. Confidentiality of Agreement. Each of the parties hereto agrees to refrain from 

any public comment the terms of this Settlement Agreement and Release and to 

keep these terms confidential to the extent permitted by law. 

9. Further Acts. Each of the Parties hereto agrees promptly to execute all other 

documents and take all other actions reasonably necessary to effectuate all of 

this Settlement Agreement’s terms and conditions. 

10. Enforcement. If there is any disagreement that cannot be resolved between the 

Parties to this Settlement Agreement arising out of or relating to this Settlement 

Agreement, the Parties to this Settlement Agreement agree that any legal action 

or proceeding relating to this agreement will be instituted exclusively in the 

United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. Plaintiffs and 

Defendants agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of, and agree that venue 

is proper in, this Court in any such legal action or proceeding. 

11. Successors. This Settlement Agreement shall bind the successors, assigns, heirs 

and personal representatives of each of the Parties to this Settlement 

Agreement. 

12. Parties Represented. Each Party to this Settlement Agreement has been advised 

and represented by Counsel in connection with the negotiation and preparation 

hereof; each Party enters into this Settlement Agreement voluntarily; and each 

Party to this Settlement Agreement shall be deemed its co-author for purposes of 

the Settlement Agreement’s construction. Each party further acknowledges that 

this Settlement Agreement has been reviewed in detail with them and that its 

language and intended effect have been explained, and that they have had the 

opportunity to review the Settlement Agreement with an attorney of their choice. 

13. Integrated Writing. Other than the warranties, covenants, and representations 

expressly stated as such in this Settlement Agreement, there are no warranties, 

covenants, and representations of any kind, express or implied, upon which 

PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com

Case 1:06-cv-00355-AWI -SMS Document 22 Filed 05/11/07 Page 6 of 8
Stipulation Re: Settlement of Minors’ Claims, Declaration of 

Douglas L. Hurt in Support of Disputed Claims of Minors, and 

[Proposed] Order Approving Disputed Claims of Minors 

(CCP §372) 

- 7

LAW OFFICES OF DOUGLAS L. HURT 

2534 W. Main Street 

Visalia, CA 93291 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

either Party to this Settlement Agreement has relied in entering into this 

Settlement Agreement, or as to the future relations or dealings of the Parties to 

this Settlement Agreement. 

Dated: , 2007 VISALIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 

 By 

 Superintendent Stan Carrizosa 

Dated: , 2007 By 

 Colleen Kelly Pankey, as 

 Guardian ad Litem for Keith 

 Pankey and Kevin Pankey 

Dated: , 2007 By 

 Douglas L. Hurt, Counsel for 

Plaintiffs Keith and Kevin Pankey by and 

through their Guardian ad Litem, 

Colleen Kelly Pankey 

Dated: , 2007 By 

 John Rozier 

 Nelson, Rozier & Bettencourt 

Counsel for Visalia Unified School 

District 

 

 

PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com

Case 1:06-cv-00355-AWI -SMS Document 22 Filed 05/11/07 Page 7 of 8
Stipulation Re: Settlement of Minors’ Claims, Declaration of 

Douglas L. Hurt in Support of Disputed Claims of Minors, and 

[Proposed] Order Approving Disputed Claims of Minors 

(CCP §372) 

- 8

LAW OFFICES OF DOUGLAS L. HURT 

2534 W. Main Street 

Visalia, CA 93291 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

ATTACHMENT “A” 

(Non-Monetary Commitments by VUSD) 

1. Staff Development. To continue the District’s practice of providing diversity training at 

the beginning of each school year to all new staff with a particular emphasis on reducing racial 

discrimination and harassment; to periodically provide updated training to existing staff. 

2. Student Training Program. To more specifically focus the ongoing “Breaking Down the 

Walls” student training program on issues of race, including color, ethnic group, national origin and race 

ancestry. This student training program will be conducted on a rotational basis among the four high 

schools every other year and will include activities to address the above topics. 

3. Policies. To continue to enforce the District’s current policies on the topic of levels of 

discipline for racial harassment; to continue to code racial incidents into the District’s computer system as 

a separate category to allow for closer monitoring of incidents, of offenders and of students subjected to 

racial harassment; and to communicate to the parents of the offended students when steps have been 

taken to prevent or discipline for an incident of racial harassment. These policies and procedures will be 

discussed with the principals at least annually for the duration of this agreement. 

4. Curriculum. To create additional classroom activities, such as discussions, writing and 

speakers and on the topic of racial discrimination in our community in order to move from theory to 

practical application as topics of racism are presented in the high school courses listed below; to meet 

with the site curriculum leaders throughout the District before the middle of the next semester in order to 

inject these items into the curriculum for the semester beginning Fall 2007. 

a. Health. Continue required course for graduation (typically a 9th grade course). 2 

to 3 week section on Human Development, Personal Differences and 

Relationships, including racial and ethnic harassment. 

b. World History and Geography. Continue required course for graduation (typically 

a 10th grade course). Sections on unresolved problems of the modern world (1-2 

weeks); United Nations Declaration of Human Rights; differing beliefs between 

Hindu and Muslim cultures; Nazism and Stalinism; Slave trade; Imperialism. 

c. United States History and Geography. Continue required course for graduation 

(typically an 11th grade course). Sections on the Civil War and Reconstruction; 

the Civil Rights Movement (2-3 weeks); the struggle for racial equality; respect 

and effective problem solving. 

d. Civics. Continue required course for graduation (typically a 12th grade course). 

Section on the fundamental principles and moral values of American Democracy; 

relationships among citizens; and landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions 

affecting Civil Rights. 

Note: New textbooks and course materials for items (b), (c) and (d) above, were adopted for the 

2006/2007 school year and will remain in place for 7 years. 

PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com

Case 1:06-cv-00355-AWI -SMS Document 22 Filed 05/11/07 Page 8 of 8