In a decisive move to protect the rights of students with disabilities, Fulton County Schools in Georgia have reached a settlement with the U.S. Attorney's Office, as per an announcement yesterday. This settlement follows an investigation into the district's handling of a disturbing pattern of student-on-student sexual assaults on a school bus designated for children with special needs. The investigation, led under the auspices of Title IX, ADA, and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974, revealed a startling lack of adequate procedures to address sexual misconduct among students with disabilities, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan was quoted in a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office press release, saying, "Children with disabilities can be especially vulnerable and deserve to thrive in a learning environment free of violence of any kind, including when traveling to and from school aboard buses." Buchanan commended the Fulton County School district's cooperation and its commitment to rectifying the issue to bolster the safety of vulnerable students. In response to the escalating series of events that escaped adequate attention, the agreement reinforces the district's responsibilities to safeguard students.
The U.S. Attorney's Office found several areas where the Fulton County Schools' system failed. This includes not providing sufficient training for employees on the reporting of, and reaction towards, sexual harassment and assault, as well as neglection in the accommodations necessary for students with disabilities. Moreover, the district's reporting process was not made adequately accessible to parents and guardians with limited English proficiency, posing a significant communication barrier for those needing to express urgent concerns regarding their children's welfare. The settlement agreement mandates a substantial overhaul of policies and procedures in relation to student safety and the proper management of sexual assault cases.
Central to the agreement, as stated by Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, is the commitment by Fulton County Schools to ensure safe passage for all students on their buses, with a specific emphasis on the training of bus drivers and monitors to prevent sexual harassment and assault. In a statement to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Clarke noted, "Schools have a responsibility to address barriers to reporting sexual assault and to effectively investigate reports, taking into account the special needs or vulnerabilities of any affected students and their families." The agreement aims to instate rigorous training programs for district personnel regarding the unique vulnerabilities of students with disabilities and improve language assistance services for parents whose first language is not English.
The comprehensive settlement outlines several actions that Fulton County Schools has agreed to pursue. These include policy revisions for responding to complaints of sexual misconduct, specialized training for appropriate district personnel, and enhancements in the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities. These measures are designed to forge an environment where students are not only educated but are also respected and protected.
This legal resolution was collaborated upon by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia and the Civil Rights Division's Educational Opportunities Section, with Aileen Bell Hughes, Deputy Chief of the Public Integrity and Civil Rights Section, taking the legal helm for the government in this matter. Parents and community members seeking more information on the agreement or who have related concerns are encouraged to reach out to the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office.
