Miltenberg, Brown: “East Texas School District Facing Federal Lawsuit for Allegedly Ignoring Reports of Bullying,” East Texas

One East Texas school district is facing a federal lawsuit from the parents of a disabled student who says officials ignored reports of bullying. “This has been a devastating experience, personally, professionally, financially, for the entire family. The parents truly have been devastated,” the family’s attorney lawyer Christine Brown said. The parents of a seventh-grade student filed a federal lawsuit against Winnsboro ISD, the board of trustees, administrators, and board members for allegedly ignoring multiple reports of verbal, disability-based and physical harassment and bullying from another student. “This is a situation where the child and the family have been significantly harmed,” Brown said. The lawsuit claims the actions from Winnsboro ISD violated Title IX, the American with Disabilities Act, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Brown said the major issue is the passivity from the district. “The lack of action on the part of the school district, to take action, when they had notice that one of their students was being harmed,” Brown said. According to the lawsuit, the student who has a disability dealt with at least six different incidents of verbal and physical sex-based harassment actions by two students. The parents claim these instances were reported to school officials at least 12 times. “Issues like this pop up in high school districts in almost every state, and the issue concerning harassment and bullying are becoming more prominent,” Brown said. The student withdrew from Winnsboro ISD because of the lack of action from the district. CBS19 has reached out to the district multiple times and still have not heard back. At this time, the family is suing for an undetermined amount.

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