By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@thecitizennews.com

In Fayette County's public schools last year, only two cases of sexual contact involving students were reported, according to school system officials.

One of the two incidents occurred in February at Flat Rock Middle School, said Wayne Robinson, director of secondary school operations. Two eighth graders — a boy and girl — met in a restroom during class time, Robinson said.

The students were discovered in the restroom by another student, who reported the incident to a teacher, Robinson added.

The two students admitted their part in the incident, Robinson said. They received the same punishment as the students in the other reported case of sexual contact, which occurred on a bus headed towards Rising Starr Middle School in April, Robinson said.

The students in both cases were suspended for the rest of the school year, but they can apply to Fayette County Alternative School to continue their education, Robinson said.

The students must complete a full semester at the alternative school before they can re-enter their regular schools, Robinson said. That is so they will get their full academic credit for the semester, he added.

Sexual contact is one of five types of “sexual impropriety” outlined in the school system's student code of conduct. The others are: indecent exposure, sexual harassment and inappropriate public displays of affection.

Only one of those four types of cases was reported this school year. A student at Flat Rock Middle was charged with sexual harassment during spring semester, Robinson said. The student was suspended for the rest of the year and will attend the alternative school for at least the first semester of the upcoming school year.

In all three cases, the students avoided an appearance before a disciplinary tribunal. Instead, the students and their parents signed waivers indicating the students were guilty of the infraction ... and that they accept the punishment recommended by the school system.

Incidents of “sexual impropriety” between students are very rare, Robinson said.

“It is certainly out of the ordinary,” Robinson said. Over three years ago, the school system developed language for the conduct code to address sexually inappropriate behavior by students, he added.

“We don't even let them hold hands. There are strict rules about body contact,” Robinson said. “We have been criticized for that, but we feel like those things lead to other things, and we don't allow that.”

Cases of sexual impropriety between students, while unusual, are fully investigated by principals, Robinson added.

“Our principals act accordingly and follow the guidelines,” Robinson said.

Some cases involving public displays of affection are handled at the school level, Robinson said. As for the cases handled by the tribunal, each is judged on the individual factors as far as guilt or innocence of the students accused, Robinson said.

The punishments recommended by the school aren't done like plea bargains in court, Robinson added.

“There is no reducing the penalty,” he said. “... It can either be accepted or we can go to the tribunal hearing.”

If a student is found guilty of a violation of the conduct code, the tribunal selects the penalty. The tribunal — composed of a teacher, a counselor and an administrator — can use the penalty recommended by the school, or they can change it, Robinson said.

The tribunal's decision can be appealed to the school board, Robinson said.