A lawsuit has been filed against the Fresno Unified School District by a former student who alleges that the district failed to protect her from Ray Waller, a photography teacher at Bullard High School, who is accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with her on school grounds. The suit claims that Waller, aged 37, had sexual encounters with the student for several months, during which time the school allegedly did not take appropriate measures to ensure her safety.
In February 2024, authorities arrested Waller on multiple charges of sexual abuse, including 38 counts related to sexual misconduct with a minor under 16 years of age and child molestation. Federal charges have also been filed against him, including sexual exploitation of a minor and the receipt of child sexual abuse images.
According to the lawsuit, Waller lacked proper teaching credentials when he was hired. The plaintiff’s claims state that he had not undergone a thorough background check prior to his employment at Bullard High. However, a spokesperson for Fresno Unified disputed these allegations, asserting that Waller received his career technical education teacher credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing in August 2023, before he was officially hired.
The spokesperson further stated that Waller underwent a Livescan background check conducted by the Department of Justice and the FBI, which returned clear results. Following his arrest, Waller was placed on a leave of absence, and his credential was suspended in July 2024. “The safety of our students is our top priority,” the spokesperson emphasized, highlighting that the district had followed proper procedures in hiring and monitoring Waller.
The lawsuit details that Waller was frequently alone with the plaintiff, who was just 14 years old at the time. It alleges that the school allowed this student and Waller to remain in his classroom with the door locked for extended periods, often until late in the afternoon. The lawsuit describes a troubling lack of supervision, noting that school staff did not inquire about the nature of their interactions despite seeing the student leaving the classroom daily around 16:30 to 17:00.
The complaint argues that the school failed in its duty to monitor Waller’s behavior, creating a setting that was conducive to abuse. It further claims that Waller was inadequately trained and vetted for his role, as he was placed in a classroom with no windows that would allow passersby to see inside.
If convicted on federal charges, Waller could face a prison sentence ranging from 15 to 30 years. Additionally, the state charges could result in another 25 years of imprisonment, according to a spokesperson for the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office.
Efforts to contact the plaintiff’s attorney, Jason Bell of Paboojian, Inc., for comment were unsuccessful prior to publication. The case raises serious concerns regarding the safety protocols in place at the school and the responsibility of educational institutions to protect their students from potential harm.
As this case unfolds, it underscores the critical importance of vigilance and accountability within educational environments to safeguard the well-being of all students.
