LCPS’s Title IX Office launched an investigation based on that video and the male-identifying student’s complaint. That office has now determined the two boys are responsible for sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination, according to attorney, Josh Hetzler, who represents the families.
Hetzler said they were notified by LCPS Friday evening.
The punishment includes ten days of suspension and a no-contact order with the complainant, including not being able to be in any of the same classes. The boys are also required to meet with school administrators to determine a corrective action plan, according to Hetzler.
On Monday, 7News spoke with the parents of the two boys.
“I would say the first reaction was some anger, because we're just really concerned with all this stuff," Seth Wolfe, one of the parents, told 7News. "[We're] saddened by the decision-making process and how that went.”
“[We're] absolutely floored that they came back and branded my son responsible for sexual harassment and sex based discrimination with no solid evidence whatsoever," Renae Smith, the other parent, told 7News. "We're talking about scarring him for life by a biased process that's supposed to protect fairness, but it's shocking. It's wrong, and it should terrify every single parent.”
Smith pulled her son out of LCPS this summer and moved out of state, but if he comes back, LCPS says they will suspend her son too.
Smith's concern is this will follow her son because it’s on his permanent academic record, and could impact his college applications.
Smith and Wolfe believe LCPS is sending a message that any student who expresses views that disagree with so-called Policy 8040 will be punished.
“They're going to have to follow what Loudoun County says, what they believe is right, and what goes against other people's beliefs, or what we believe is right," said Wolfe.
"What they're doing to our children is just despicable," said Smith.
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