QUESTION: My son was hurt in school while playing dodgeball with his friends during recess. It was a cold day and the grounds were covered in ice, but they still let the kids play outside. Is the school liable for negligence? ANSWER: Generally, public schools may be held liable for any injury to a student caused by negligent act or omission by its employees (Gov. C. ยง 815.2). The same may apply to private schools. There is a special relationship between a school district (or its employees) and students, so.