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Reports of sex in classroom investigated

By Mary McKee
Star-Telegram Dallas Bureau
Fri, Oct. 31, 2003

DALLAS _ School officials are investigating reports that a 12-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy engaged in oral sex during a science class at Robert T. Hill Middle School.

The activity allegedly took place Tuesday in the back of a classroom while the teacher was away at a parent-teacher conference, leaving an adult security monitor in charge, Dallas school district spokesman Donald Claxton said Friday.

At least four students said they witnessed the activity and reported it Wednesday when their teacher returned, Claxton said.

School officials placed the security monitor, whose name was not released, on paid administrative leave Thursday.

Claxton said he was told that police filed a sexual assault charge against the boy. Investigators could not be reached to comment.

Disciplinary action was also taken against the students, Claxton said. He would not comment on the discipline, but he said the district's punishment for such activity would range from suspension to expulsion.

It is unclear how sexual activity could go unnoticed by an adult, Claxton said.

"We're still asking that question ourselves," he said.

Claxton estimated that at least 20 students were in the classroom when the incident allegedly occurred. He said that the situation is deeply disturbing.

"It's even more disturbing in society that a 12-year-old youngster is cognizant of such activity," he said. "The fact that it happened in a classroom while an adult was present is almost inexcusable."

Parents were notified of the incident Thursday in a letter from principal Rex Cole. The letter stated that the two students were "engaged in inappropriate physical conduct while under the supervision of school personnel."

"The administrative staff assures you that appropriate measures have been taken to address this issue," Cole wrote.

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Mary McKee, (972) 263-4448
mmckee@star-telegram.com

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