Settlements Vary In St. John’s Case

Federal court records show settlements ranged from about $1.8 million to $55,000 for four juveniles who claimed a Kansas military school encouraged abuse by giving higher-ranking cadets authority to discipline younger cadets.

Eleven former cadets filed a lawsuit in 2012 alleging that higher-ranking students abused younger students at St. John’s Military School in Salina. The 126-year-old Episcopalian boarding school has long denied a culture of abuse exists.

Parties in the case reached a settlement March 3, but details had not been previously released.

Affidavits released Wednesday show the settlements for the four juveniles were for $55,000, $75,000, $100,000 and $1.8 million, about 40 percent of which would go to lawyers.

Settlement terms for the adult plaintiffs were not subject to court approval and haven’t been disclosed.