U.S. Dept. of Education says Owasso Public Schools had Title IX violations dating back years
OWASSO, Okla. (KFOR) — Nine months after the death of Owasso student Nex Benedict, the U.S. Department of Education has reached a resolution in their Owasso Public Schools investigation.
Lance Preston, Founder of the Rainbow Youth Project, tells News 4 he's hoping the investigation will serve as a wake-up call.
"We definitely felt like there was a need for an investigation and that's why we signed on with over 350 other organizations," said Preston.
Nex Benedict identified as nonbinary, and their family said they were a target of bullying.
Medical examiners determined they died by suicide.
A release on Wednesday from the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights indicates problems within the Owasso School District years before Benedict's death.
The agency found the district had a pattern of inconsistent responses to reports of sexual harassment, and it rose to the level of deliberately being indifferent to student's civil rights.
As a result, the Owasso School District has agreed to a number of changes outlined here:
- Contact the parents of students affected by sexual harassment in the district to inform them of the process for filing a Title IX complaint and the availability of supportive measures;
- Issue a public anti-harassment statement and nondiscrimination statement to the district community;
- Review and, if necessary, revise its Title IX policies to ensure compliance with Title IX’s requirements about sex discrimination, including sexual harassment;
- Provide training on Title IX to district staff and students, including the full scope of its sexual harassment coverage;
- Conduct a climate survey on sexual harassment in the district;
- Review all complaints of sexual harassment received in the past three school years and an audit of all complaints received in the next two school years to ensure that the district processes all complaints consistent with Title IX; and
- Develop and implement a recordkeeping system that adequately and accurately documents and preserves all records required by Title IX.
After Benedict's death, the Rainbow Youth Project's call numbers soared.
"Our crisis numbers from Oklahoma increased over 500%, and they have remained that high ever since. We did have outpouring from Owasso High School," said Preston
Preston said the fight isn't over, but he hopes this investigation will serve as an eye-opener to all schools.
"We're hoping that many of the schools in Oklahoma will start paying attention and understand that every kid is entitled to a safe learning environment," said Preston.
I reached out to Owasso Public Schools for their response regarding the resolution.
They forwarded a statement that was shared to Owasso parents:
Owasso Parents & Guardians,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to inform you that the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has completed its investigation of Owasso Public Schools following a complaint last spring. OCR did not find a violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, as part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all students, the district will enter into a voluntary agreement with OCR to resolve a Title IX complaint made against the district.
While we continue to believe the original complaint made to OCR was based on inaccurate information, OPS understands the importance for the district to remain in compliance with Title IX regulations in regard to policies, procedures, training, and documentation. This voluntary resolution agreement reaffirms our dedication to fostering a non-discriminatory and harassment-free environment for all students and ensures the district will continue to receive federal funding which is critical in supporting and serving our students with disabilities, English Language learners, and economically disadvantaged students.
The voluntary resolution agreement outlines several important steps that we will be taking throughout the remainder of the 2024-25 school year. These steps include, individual remedies, updating and revising policies, processes, and procedures, updating parts of our website, as well as additional training for staff and students. The complete resolution agreement may be accessed here.
OPS is committed to fulfilling these requirements with the utmost seriousness and care, as we believe every student has the right to learn in an environment free from discrimination and harassment. We are confident that these steps will enhance the safety and inclusivity of our school community.
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding these measures, or if you would like more information about our Title IX policies and procedures, please do not hesitate to contact our Title IX Coordinator – Mark Officer, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning – at mark.officer@owassops.org or 918-272-8182.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to make our schools a place where every student feels safe, respected, and valued.
Dr. Margaret Coates, Owasso Public Schools Superintendent