Parents and students urge Katy ISD to revise self-defense and mutual-combat rules after alleged assault

Several parents, a student and community members raised repeated concerns about the district’s handling of a recent assault and called for clearer self-defense rules during the public-comment period at the Katy Independent School District board meeting on April 22.

Amanda Valdivia, a parent who identified herself as a “single mom,” said many parents in the Katy ISD area do not understand the district’s approach to self-defense and mutual combat. "Katy ISD needs to make their policy on self defense and their procedures for handling harassment, bullying, and threats extremely clear during the enrollment process," Valdivia said, adding that she polled parents on local social media and found the majority support students physically defending themselves.

Rebecca Trahan, who described herself as following up on earlier comments, told the board “no child should ever be punished for defending themselves,” and urged revision of the district’s mutual-combat language so it can address sexual harassment and better protect both students and teachers. "Teachers need to be rewarded from that and we need to support them more with this," she said, calling for a rules-of-engagement section in the discipline handbook.

Speakers identified a specific incident at Taylor High School and said the district labeled the episode “mutual combat” even though, they contend, video shows one student was assaulted and did not have a meaningful opportunity to defend herself. Danny Jim Francisco said he had filed a public information request and received heavily redacted materials; he asked the board to reopen the investigation and allow parents access to evidence that led to the mutual-combat determination. "The staff at these schools make decisions under the blanket of confidentiality, and parents have no recourse," Francisco said.

Student Brooklyn Jan Francesco described receiving hostile looks after her family sought accountability and said she did not feel safe returning to school. "Are we saying that it's okay for a male athlete or any male to assault a female student, and that the school punishes both parties equal?" she asked.

Todd Gerkoff and other speakers made similar appeals for transparency and for the district to reverse punishments they said were wrongly applied. Kelly Hamilton, a teacher and member of the Texas AFT, thanked the board for forming a committee to review teacher planning time but also said teachers want clear, enforceable procedures that protect staff who intervene.

President Perez repeatedly reminded speakers to avoid identifying students or giving personally identifiable information, citing Texas law and district grievance procedures. The board did not take an immediate motion to change discipline policy during the meeting. Trustees later reconvened from closed session and, separately, denied a Level 3 FNG grievance; board staff indicated the grievance decision followed the district’s process under policy FNG.

Speakers asked the board to consider the following steps: amend mutual-combat language, establish an explicit self-defense policy, create mediation or restorative processes that allow parents to be included when appropriate, and reopen investigations where parents present new evidence.

The board did not adopt policy changes on April 22; trustees directed staff to follow established complaint and grievance channels. Several speakers said they would continue to pursue the matter through administrative and legal avenues.