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The February death of 16-year-old Owasso High School student Nex
Benedict took place the day after a fight with several girls in
a school bathroom. It was ultimately ruled a suicide by the
state's medical examiner, and no charges were filed in
connection with the fight.
The U.S. Department of Education opened an investigation into
the district in March after the Human Rights Campaign, a civil
rights group that advocates for LGBTQ+ equality, asked the
department to look into the district's “failure to respond
appropriately to sex-based harassment that may have contributed
to the tragic death.”
In Nex's case, the investigation revealed that when school
officials received information that Nex and two other students
experienced conduct that could meet the definition of sexual
harassment, the district failed to notify the students' parents,
inform them how to file a formal complaint or offer supportive
services, which the district should have done according to
federal Title IX policies.
The probe also discovered repeated instances over a three-year
period in which district staff received notice of possible
harassment, yet failed to properly explain the procedure for
filing complaints or discuss supportive measures with
complainants, according to the department.
Among the investigation's findings were that a teacher was
grooming female students on social media and that multiple
students were subjected to sex-based slurs, harassment and
physical assault.
In a letter to parents, Owasso Superintendent Margaret Coates
said the voluntary resolution agreement reaffirms the district's
dedication to fostering a non-discriminatory and harassment-free
environment for all students.
The district has agreed to contact the parents of students
affected by sexual harassment, issue a public anti-harassment
statement, review its policies to ensure compliance with federal
requirements and provide training to district staff and
students, among other things.
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