An Albuquerque mother is appealing Albuquerque Public Schools’ findings after a district investigation concluded there was insufficient evidence to substantiate allegations that a student at Chaparral Elementary School inappropriately touched other students over the course of the school year.According to APS Equal Opportunity Services, Chaparral’s principal reported the allegations March 25. The report stated that 10 students alleged another student touched them over their clothing.APS reviewed the student statements, but concluded there was not enough evidence under the district’s standard to substantiate a policy violation.One father, whose son was among the students allegedly impacted, said his family first learned of the situation from the school. “Basically, my wife just got a voicemail, I think, or they called her saying that there was an incident and that it was serious,” he said.The father said his son did not give him many details.”He just says that he didn’t like it and it made him feel really weird and that he’d just rather not talk about it,” he said.Looking back, the father said his son had started avoiding school after previously enjoying going to class.”He would just wake up and say, ‘I don’t want to go to school. My stomach hurts. My throat hurts,'” he said. “And finding out later that was the time period where he didn’t want to go to school because he just didn’t feel safe there.”Victoria Standley, the mother who received the APS findings letter, is now appealing the district’s decision.”The original findings from the investigation reported that the 10 children who spoke up, their allegations were unsubstantiated,” Standley said. “The reason I spoke up was because the two bullets of why they were unsubstantiated, it just didn’t make common sense.”Standley said her son was the first to speak up and that other students came forward afterward.”Nobody spoke up until my son did. And once my son did, all these children spoke up. And what that means is that they actually felt safe to speak up after one person did,” she said.Standley is urging APS to reconsider how it evaluates children’s disclosures, especially in cases involving young students and student-on-student misconduct allegations.”If they feel safe and if we shut them down, they’re not going to feel safe anymore to speak up,” she said.In a statement, APS said they are handling Standley’s concerns.”We are addressing Ms. Standley’s concerns through the standard appeals process,” The district said. “We value all feedback and remain committed to improving our internal systems to better serve the health and safety of our students and the wider community.Parents said they remain concerned about what safeguards will be in place when students return to school. “I’m sending him there for eight, nine hours a day and trusting them with one of my most valuable things,” one father said. “That trust is kind of gone.”Standley said she wants APS to use the case as an opportunity to improve how it responds when children report misconduct.”I know APS cares about the social-emotional well-being of our children,” she said. “This is an opportunity for them to really walk the walk.”APS EOS has informed Sandley that they will give her an update on July 13.Target 7 is looking into these allegations and other allegations involving APS. If you know something that may be relevant, you’re asked to call the tip line at 505-884-6374, or you can email target7tips@koat.com.
An Albuquerque mother is appealing Albuquerque Public Schools’ findings after a district investigation concluded there was insufficient evidence to substantiate allegations that a student at Chaparral Elementary School inappropriately touched other students over the course of the school year.
According to APS Equal Opportunity Services, Chaparral’s principal reported the allegations March 25. The report stated that 10 students alleged another student touched them over their clothing.
APS reviewed the student statements, but concluded there was not enough evidence under the district’s standard to substantiate a policy violation.
One father, whose son was among the students allegedly impacted, said his family first learned of the situation from the school.
“Basically, my wife just got a voicemail, I think, or they called her saying that there was an incident and that it was serious,” he said.
The father said his son did not give him many details.
“He just says that he didn’t like it and it made him feel really weird and that he’d just rather not talk about it,” he said.
Looking back, the father said his son had started avoiding school after previously enjoying going to class.
“He would just wake up and say, ‘I don’t want to go to school. My stomach hurts. My throat hurts,'” he said. “And finding out later that was the time period where he didn’t want to go to school because he just didn’t feel safe there.”
Victoria Standley, the mother who received the APS findings letter, is now appealing the district’s decision.
“The original findings from the investigation reported that the 10 children who spoke up, their allegations were unsubstantiated,” Standley said. “The reason I spoke up was because the two bullets of why they were unsubstantiated, it just didn’t make common sense.”
Standley said her son was the first to speak up and that other students came forward afterward.
“Nobody spoke up until my son did. And once my son did, all these children spoke up. And what that means is that they actually felt safe to speak up after one person did,” she said.
Standley is urging APS to reconsider how it evaluates children’s disclosures, especially in cases involving young students and student-on-student misconduct allegations.
“If they feel safe and if we shut them down, they’re not going to feel safe anymore to speak up,” she said.
In a statement, APS said they are handling Standley’s concerns.
“We are addressing Ms. Standley’s concerns through the standard appeals process,” The district said. “We value all feedback and remain committed to improving our internal systems to better serve the health and safety of our students and the wider community.
Parents said they remain concerned about what safeguards will be in place when students return to school.
“I’m sending him there for eight, nine hours a day and trusting them with one of my most valuable things,” one father said. “That trust is kind of gone.”
Standley said she wants APS to use the case as an opportunity to improve how it responds when children report misconduct.
“I know APS cares about the social-emotional well-being of our children,” she said. “This is an opportunity for them to really walk the walk.”
APS EOS has informed Sandley that they will give her an update on July 13.
Target 7 is looking into these allegations and other allegations involving APS. If you know something that may be relevant, you’re asked to call the tip line at 505-884-6374, or you can email target7tips@koat.com.
