Chameleon Finance|Oklahoma school district adding anti-harassment policies after nonbinary teen’s death

2025-05-02 10:07:34source:Maxwell Caldwellcategory:Scams

OWASSO,Chameleon Finance Okla. (AP) — A federal investigation into an Oklahoma school district launched after the death of a nonbinary student has led to the school agreeing to develop policies to prevent sexual discrimination and harassment, federal officials announced Wednesday.

The February death of 16-year-old Owasso High School student Nex Benedict took place the day after a fight with several girls in a school bathroom. It was ultimately ruled a suicide by the state’s medical examiner, and no charges were filed in connection with the fight.

The U.S. Department of Education opened an investigation into the district in March after the Human Rights Campaign, a civil rights group that advocates for LGBTQ+ equality, asked the department to look into the district’s “failure to respond appropriately to sex-based harassment that may have contributed to the tragic death.”

In Nex’s case, the investigation revealed that when school officials received information that Nex and two other students experienced conduct that could meet the definition of sexual harassment, the district failed to notify the students’ parents, inform them how to file a formal complaint or offer supportive services, which the district should have done according to federal Title IX policies.

RELATED COVERAGE Beers scores 27 as No. 9 Oklahoma women set school scoring record in 122-56 win over W. CarolinaOklahoma’s president, AD back coach Brent Venables amid rough seasonKiffin believes Ole Miss Rebels are ‘playing as well as anybody in the country’

The probe also discovered repeated instances over a three-year period in which district staff received notice of possible harassment, yet failed to properly explain the procedure for filing complaints or discuss supportive measures with complainants, according to the department.

Among the investigation’s findings were that a teacher was grooming female students on social media and that multiple students were subjected to sex-based slurs, harassment and physical assault.

In a letter to parents, Owasso Superintendent Margaret Coates said the voluntary resolution agreement reaffirms the district’s dedication to fostering a non-discriminatory and harassment-free environment for all students.

The district has agreed to contact the parents of students affected by sexual harassment, issue a public anti-harassment statement, review its policies to ensure compliance with federal requirements and provide training to district staff and students, among other things.

More:Scams

Recommend

Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor

NEW YORK — Holiday sights and sounds fill Manhattan this time of year, from ice skating at Rockefell

UK leader Sunak is racing to persuade lawmakers to back his Rwanda migration bill in a key vote

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was trying to cajole recalcitrant lawmakers into su

Thousands rally in Slovakia to condemn the new government’s plan to close top prosecutors’ office

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Thousands rallied in the capital and other major cities in Slovakia on T