Parent presses Knox County Board on student sexual assaults; district describes safety-plan, Title IX and due-process limits

A parent told the Knox County Board of Education on March 6 that her daughter had been sexually assaulted by a classmate and asked the district to take stronger steps to keep victims from sharing classrooms with alleged aggressors.

The parent, Tierra Lady Wilson of Knox County, said the assault happened in January and that her child "did not want to talk to the police" before the family reported the incident to school administrators. "Will Knox County Schools continue to be part of the problem?" Wilson asked the board during the public forum.

District leaders replied that the schools treat alleged sexual assaults as matters that often require a mix of emergency safety planning, school disciplinary measures and outside investigations. "When we're made aware, we develop a safety plan," said Dr. Brown, a KCS administrator. Dr. Reiswick, identified in the meeting as superintendent, said the district can impose suspensions and, depending on the alleged conduct, hold disciplinary hearings that follow due-process rules.

The board and staff emphasized limits imposed…