Community members tell board Centennial Middle School failed to follow Title IX procedures, describe student harm

On Jan. 8 at the Centennial School District Governing Board meeting, community partner Lindsay Troutman and a former Centennial Middle School student identified only as Ashley told the board they believe the district failed to follow Title IX procedures after multiple students reported a teacher for misconduct.

Troutman said she worked at Centennial Middle School from October 2023 to April 2024 and relayed a timeline of reports she said were made about the same teacher: an initial report in June 2023 and additional reports between November and January of the 2023–24 school year. Troutman said students who reported the teacher were not contacted by the district’s Title IX coordinator and that parents were not informed. "Why didn't CSD do anything when the teacher was reported in June? Or when he was reported in November? Or January?" she asked the board.

The speakers said the alleged inaction had emotional consequences for students. Troutman said one student she called "Sarah" developed depression and suicidal thoughts after feeling that administration did not believe or support her. Ashley, who identified herself as a former CMS student, said the experience left her unable to trust male teachers and staff and urged the board to remove the teacher and improve supports so other students do not endure similar harm.

Troutman told the board she and others were not informed how to file a formal Title IX complaint and that most students she spoke with did not know what Title IX is. She also said she was told by a CMS staff member that two of the students were believed to be lying. "None of the students I spoke with had been contacted by the district's Title 9 coordinator nor told how to file a formal title 9 complaint," she said.

Superintendent Owens responded to public comment with an acknowledgment of the speakers' courage and an apology: "We hear you, and we are terribly sorry," he said, and added he could not comment further during public comment. Chair Celeste and other board members did not announce any immediate board action during the meeting.

The speakers referenced the district's internal reporting and the role of a Title IX coordinator; the speakers did not identify the coordinator by name during public comment. No formal action, findings, or investigation status was announced to the board during the meeting. The board did not take a formal vote or issue a statement at the meeting to change any personnel status based on the public comments.

The public-comment speakers asked the board to ensure: that students and families know how to file formal complaints; that Title IX training be provided by subject-matter experts (including people with lived experience); that staff understand they must support students and not assign blame; and that any staff who failed to act be removed from positions of authority. The speakers said they want districtwide training about what Title IX is and how students should be supported if they report harassment.

The board did not provide a timeline at the meeting for any follow-up from staff to the concerns raised during public comment. Superintendent Owens indicated earlier in the agenda that matters raised during public comment are referred to the superintendent for follow-up on district operations.

Background: During the Jan. 8 meeting Troutman said multiple reporting events occurred between June 2023 and January 2024 and that students described text messages, calls on Snapchat, inappropriate classroom jokes and physical contact as part of the allegations; the district did not present a formal timeline or status update on investigations during the meeting.

The district's next regular board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 22, when board members said they will take up other agenda items; speakers and community members may follow up with the superintendent and staff outside the public comment slot.