Protesters urge Texas school district to dismiss leaders over alleged sexual misconduct with first-graders.

Protestors Demand Change in Texas School District After Alleged Sexual Misconduct Incident

Parents and Community Members Demand Transparency and Accountability

Hundreds of protestors gathered outside a Texas school district to demand leadership change after officials mishandled an alleged sexual misconduct incident involving a group of six-year-olds. The incident occurred last month inside a first-grade classroom at South Elementary School in Plainview, Texas.

According to local media, two first-grade students were recorded by another student on a school-issued iPad performing sexual acts. The girl student claimed that a boy classmate forced her to perform a sex act on him under a desk while another boy recorded it on an iPad that teachers allow students to use during class.

“We want to make sure that they don’t sweep this under the rug,” said Heather Gonzales, an older cousin of the young girl involved, in an interview with The Plainview Herald.

Following the incident, Gonzales said the family noticed a change in her behavior, showing signs of distress and physical pain in her stomach. The girl then told her family that a boy allegedly exposed himself to her in the lunch line at school a week after the other sexual misconduct occurred inside the classroom.

Lack of Transparency and Accountability

District officials said they immediately reported the incident to police and child protective services and informed the parents and guardians of the two students directly involved in the recording. However, the other family did not hear of the incident until three days later because officials claimed they couldn’t be reached.

Protestors outside the school district administration building said the officials downplayed the incident, lacked transparency with the families, and demanded that the district fire the teacher, the superintendent, and the South Elementary School principal Jennifer Hughey.

“Everything was ‘no comment. I cannot tell you. No comment,’” Gonzales said. “So, you mean to tell me abuse has been happening for a week and a half, and these kids are still at the same desk? My cousin is still at a desk with all boys, having to see her abusers every day.”

Protecting Our Children

Gonzales said the children deserve more protection from the district. “Are you letting these other parents know their kids could possibly be a victim next?” she said. “I feel like, as a parent, you should know.”

Plainview Independent School District announced on its website that classes were canceled on Monday and Tuesday after the administration received violent threats “regarding a matter under investigation,” and due to the mass shooting in Allen, Texas, that claimed the lives of eight people over the weekend.

The school board meets next on May 18.

What Can We Do?

As a community, we must demand transparency and accountability from our school districts. We must ensure that our children are protected and that incidents like this are not swept under the rug. We must stand together to demand change and hold those in power responsible for their actions.

What You Can Do:

• Attend school board meetings and demand transparency and accountability
• Speak out on social media and demand change
• Support organizations that work to protect children from sexual abuse
• Teach your children about body safety and how to report abuse

Let’s work together to protect our children and demand change in our school districts.

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