The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced on Wednesday that Owasso Public Schools in Oklahoma has agreed to a comprehensive plan to remedy Title IX violations concerning its response to sexual harassment reports.

Following an investigation, OCR found that the district inadequately addressed student complaints, often handling cases informally and inconsistently.

OCR’s investigation uncovered multiple instances over a three-year period where district staff, after being notified of possible sexual harassment, failed to inform students and families of their rights to file a Title IX complaint or offer supportive services, such as counseling or schedule adjustments.

Related Story: Human Rights Campaign Praises Accountability Agreement For Owasso Schools' After Title IX Violations

Specific Cases of Accusations Highlighted in OCR Findings

U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights say the following causes were uncovered:

1. They say that a teacher was grooming female students on social media by sending more than 130 messages to them describing their physical appearance and requesting their photographs, among other topics, 
2. They say that a very young elementary school student was subjected to repeated harassing remarks that were described as sexual in nature, 
3. They say that a male student repeatedly hit and made unwelcome sexual comments to a female sixth-grade student at school and on the school bus. 
4. They say that multiple students were subjected to repeated sex-based slurs, harassment, and physical assault. 

In one particular case, the district’s response was scrutinized following the suicide of a student after an altercation at Owasso High School. OCR found that Owasso Public Schools had only conducted two formal Title IX investigations in recent years and lacked adequate record-keeping, as required under federal law.

“Owasso students and their families did not receive the fair and equitable review process from their school district guaranteed to them under Title IX; at worst, some students experienced discrimination Congress has long guaranteed they shall not endure at school,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon. “The district has signed a robust agreement to assure that students who attend school in the district will be afforded their rights under Title IX, including the right to file a complaint, learn about and receive supportive services individualized to their needs, and benefit from federal nondiscrimination protection when they experience harassment.”

Owasso Public Schools Signs Voluntary Resolution Agreement with OCR

Owasso Public Schools sent the following letter to families about the Voluntary Resolution Agreement:

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.

They also released the following statement:

Here is a link to a letter that OPS sent to families on Nov. 12 regarding the district entering into a Voluntary Resolution Agreement with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (OCR). 

It is important to note that when OCR presented the Resolution Agreement to the district, it declined to provide the district a copy of its 20 page Letter of Resolution, which was released today. 

The Voluntary Resolution Agreement drafted by OCR and signed by OPS clearly states, "This Agreement does not constitute an admission that the District is not in compliance with Title IX and/or the 2020 Title IX regulation” and "the District does not admit it knew of acts of harassment in its programs and activities that were so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive that it deprived any student of access to the educational benefits of opportunities provided by the District.”

OPS has cooperated fully with OCR during its investigation and is committed to fulfilling the requirements of the Voluntary Resolution Agreement with the utmost seriousness and care, as we believe every student has the right to learn in an environment free from discrimination and harassment. The Voluntary Resolution Agreement signed by OPS 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 all of our students. 

We are confident that these steps will enhance the safety and inclusivity of our school community.

Key Provisions of the Voluntary Resolution Agreement

The resolution agreement commits the district to:

1. 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; 

2. Issue a public anti-harassment statement and nondiscrimination statement to the district community; 

3. Review and, if necessary, revise its Title IX policies to ensure compliance with Title IX’s requirements about sex discrimination, including sexual harassment; 

4. Provide training on Title IX to district staff and students, including the full scope of its sexual harassment coverage; 

5. Conduct a climate survey on sexual harassment in the district; 

6. 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 

7. Develop and implement a recordkeeping system that adequately and accurately documents and preserves all records required by Title IX. 

The letter of resolution to Owasso Public Schools and the resolution agreement are available on the OCR website.

Community Reaction

Gary Thompson says his grandkids go to school in Owasso. Thompson says the news of the violations isn’t surprising.

"I've heard from my granddaughters that go to middle and high school that there's issues with a lot of bullying," he said. "No one has been addressing it."

Thompson hopes the district will follow through on its promises and says it’s a sad situation.

"It's very disappointing. I hate for any kids to have to go through anything like this. And they shouldn't have to."