Covington Schools violated Title IX regarding sexual harassment

An investigation by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights revealed that Covington Independent Schools did not properly handle reports of sexual harassment related to former principal William Sean Bohannon. The investigation focused on Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in schools. The issue came to light when a teacher, Lisa Snider-Gross, reported that three students expressed discomfort with Bohannon's behavior. They indicated that he had touched them inappropriately. Snider-Gross reported this to school counselors, leading to a lengthy investigation that found several violations of Title IX policies by the school district. The Office for Civil Rights identified failures in how the school responded to harassment reports, stating that Covington Independent did not promptly discuss support options for the students or adequately display grievance procedures. Although Bohannon retired in late 2023, the investigation did not assess the truth of the students' allegations, but rather how the school handled the complaints. Superintendent Alvin Garrison signed a resolution agreement with the Office for Civil Rights in September 2024, committing to various reforms. These will include revisions of Title IX policies, staff training on sexual harassment, and conducting surveys to understand the school environment better. The investigation also highlighted a lack of adequate support for victims and pointed out that the school had not properly initiated its own internal investigation into the complaints. These shortcomings raised concerns about the safety and trust of students within the district, especially for those with behavioral issues. Parents of the affected students expressed distrust in the school's ability to protect students and to adequately address incidents of harassment. The district's response to the complaints has left a lasting impact on the families involved, as they continue to seek accountability and change within the Covington Independent school system.