> my main point is that you shouldn't sue schools, because you're just taking (your own) money away from students
I respectfully disagree. The ability to sue public institutions -- schools, police departments, cities, etc. -- when they do wrong is key to accountability. It is never the preferred way, but sometimes it's a legitimate last resort.
I also would not characterize it as taking your own money away from students. If a man was going to buy his daughter an expensive birthday present, but he drives drunk and crashes into my house, I might sue him, and he might have to give me the money he was planning to use to buy the present. But have I deprived the girl of her present, or has he? In the same way, it is the public institutions, and their leaders, who are at fault if they conduct themselves in a way that leads to legal liabilities, not the victims who sue. The students who are deprived of resources as a result of those legal liabilities should blame the school administration, not the victims.
I respectfully disagree. The ability to sue public institutions -- schools, police departments, cities, etc. -- when they do wrong is key to accountability. It is never the preferred way, but sometimes it's a legitimate last resort.
I also would not characterize it as taking your own money away from students. If a man was going to buy his daughter an expensive birthday present, but he drives drunk and crashes into my house, I might sue him, and he might have to give me the money he was planning to use to buy the present. But have I deprived the girl of her present, or has he? In the same way, it is the public institutions, and their leaders, who are at fault if they conduct themselves in a way that leads to legal liabilities, not the victims who sue. The students who are deprived of resources as a result of those legal liabilities should blame the school administration, not the victims.