Family Files Claim Against Santa Barbara Charter School and Teacher Accused of Secretly Filming Students

The family of a Santa Barbara student has filed a claim against a teacher accused of secretly recording students in a school bathroom. The teacher allegedly used a hidden camera to capture footage of students in the restroom, leading to legal action. The claim seeks damages for emotional distress and invasion of privacy. The school district and the teacher are named in the claim, raising concerns about student safety and privacy within the school.

The attorneys at Taylor & Ring are bringing this claim against Steven Schapansky, who has been arrested for allegedly placing secret recording devices around Santa Barbara Charter School, including in areas where the children change their clothes. The devices were discovered following a report to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. Schapansky, who has been with the small K-6 school for seven years, is now on leave during the investigation.

Per the Santa Barbara Independent:

Attorneys David Ring and Natalie Weatherford of Taylor and Ring, a California plaintiff trial law firm, filed the recent claim against the district and the school on behalf of 13-year-old Jane Doe, a confirmed victim of the illicit recording at the school. She attended the school from 2016 to 2023. Doe’s parents were notified by the school district and law enforcement on July 24 that their daughter was secretly recorded, according to the claim.

The tort claim, Weatherford explained, is a sort of “precursor” to filing a lawsuit, reserving the plaintiffs’ rights to sue a government agency at a later date, and is aimed at obtaining compensation for the young victims. As to what they are filing the claim over, Weatherford said it is “twofold” at this point.

“It’s the negligence of the school district in allowing something like this to happen on the campus,” she said. “We have information that he was recording students for almost six years.”

She added, “And it’s also to get answers for the families, and wherever this ends up, that the families and their children are protected going forward.”

Attorney David Ring told News Channel 12:

Any time someone gets away with misconduct like this for a long period of time, it’s because they know there’s no supervision.

Can you imagine? You’re, what, ten, 11, 12 years old? And you find out that your teacher filmed you in some state of not having clothes on because you were changing? That is that’s outrageous. And that really impacts these young kids. It affects their ability to trust other teachers.

These parents are frustrated. They want answers. They want to know how this happened. And they’re worried about, you know, what’s going to happen with their kid. Because, again, where are these videotapes? What did Schapansky do with them? Are they floating around out there somewhere? Do other people have access to them?

Per News Channel 12, “Ring says by the time they complete their investigation, there will be a lot more coming out about Schapansky’s misconduct.”

At Taylor & Ring in Los Angeles, we fiercely advocate for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, offering unwavering legal support. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys are committed to helping victims and their families seek justice and accountability. If you or your child has suffered from privacy violations at Santa Barbara Charter School, our skilled legal team is here to provide a free consultation. We will help you pursue compensation, assist with the criminal case, and ensure your rights are protected. Together, we’ll work to strengthen safety measures and prevent future harm. Call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free, confidential consultation today.