The Plano Independent School District will work to complete an investigation into allegations of bullying against a young student within "10 district business days," according to a letter to parents from the school board.
The investigation relates to an incident in which a 13-year-old boy said he was forced by classmates to drink urine at a sleepover at another student's house.
"We support this important investigation, which is well underway," the Plano ISD school board said in a statement. "Due to federal legal restrictions regarding the confidentiality of student information, Plano ISD is unable to release specific student information, including disciplinary actions. We can assure you that the appropriate measures have been taken to protect the victim and to investigate this matter from the district’s authority."
Click here to read the full letter.
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The board reiterated the school district's "dedication to caring for all students and staff members" and said it had taken specific actions in the investigation in accordance with state law and district policy.
Those actions included providing notification of the incident to the parents and guardians of all those involved, initiating an investigation, and working to conclude the investigation "within 10 district business days."
During the investigation, the boy's parent raised concerns about past bullying incidents, Plano ISD said Monday. The district said it opened an additional investigation into a 2019 incident that will be conducted by an independent third party.
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"Due to state and federal legal restrictions regarding confidentiality, Plano ISD is unable to release specific information, including any disciplinary actions resulting from the investigations," Plano ISD said in a statement. "It is the district’s hope that the investigation conducted by the independent third-party will be concluded swiftly, and we will provide updated information upon completion."
Plano police are also investigating and some activists have called for the allegations to investigated as a federal hate crime.
