Girl punished after reporting sex on school bus

DAYTON, Ohio - A woman said Monday that an Ohio charter school is punishing her daughter for not immediately reporting that she saw two classmates having sex on a school bus and for changing her seat during the bus trip.

Saundra Roundtree told The Associated Press that her 14-year-old daughter told her she changed seats with a boy who wanted to sit beside another girl on a Dayton View Academy school trip last month and then saw the two having sex.

The 14-year-old told her mother the day the bus returned April 22 about what happened on the trip to tour out-of-state colleges, but said she was afraid to report it to school officials.

"She wasn't sure what the boy might do in response," Roundtree said. "He might have retaliated against her."

Roundtree told school officials what her daughter said she witnessed, and they said they would investigate, Roundtree, 48, of Dayton said.

School officials told Roundtree on Friday that her daughter would not be allowed to attend the eighth-grade prom or the class picnic next month, but could graduate with her class, Roundtree said.

Roundtree told CBS affiliate WHIO that the dress that her daughter was going to wear to the prom will go to a kid in her church.

School officials did not immediately return calls Monday.

"They punished my daughter — who did the right thing by telling what she saw — but did nothing to the eight chaperones who were sitting in the front of the bus at the time and should have been monitoring the kids," Roundtree said. "If they are not doing anything to the chaperones, how can they punish my daughter?"

Roundtree said the actions against her daughter send the wrong message.

"It sends the message that she shouldn't have said anything," Roundtree said.

Roundtree said she had to tell her daughter about the punishment when she got home from school Friday.

"She was very upset," Roundtree said. "She had been looking forward to the prom all year."

The students seen having sex on the bus were suspended, WHIO-TV in Dayton reported, but Roundtree said school officials would not tell her what — if any — discipline they might face.

Roundtree kept her daughter home Monday and was trying to see if she could arrange home schooling for the remaining few weeks of class.

"Other students know, and we are afraid of possible retaliation," said Roundtree, who didn't release her daughter's name.

She said she has contacted a lawyer and would ask the school to revoke her daughter's punishment.

[linfinster]

This is unacceptable behavior and should most certainly be addressed by all the parents that send their children there. I would remove MY child if that happened, and demand a few other things too. That poor girl will not have a chance in h3ll going back there.

[linfinster]

This is unacceptable behavior and should most certainly be addressed by all the parents that send their children there. I would remove MY child if that happened, and demand a few other things too. That poor girl will not have a chance in h3ll going back there.

[bisemoi]

Maybe she should 'SUE' the school and each of the chaperones for not properly chaperoning her child and allowing her child to witness such distressing and innappropriate behavior. I'm sure her child is now traumatized. The chaperones SHOULD have been monitoring the students and dispersed throughout the bus. They should have SEEN the girl switch seats and put a stop to it RIGHT then!!! (this is not legal advice - lol)

[greensboro78]

How the heck can adults not know two kids are having sex on the bus? clearly every adult on that bus should be suspended because they clearly are not paying attention to the kids.

[avalg]

Whatever is wrong with today's school administration. If they were punishing her for changing seats, the punishment is inappropriate. If they are punishing her for not reporting immediately, did they have no regard for her safety. Obviously they have no concept of mob retaliation which may very well have occurred. Again, the punishment is inappropriate. Folks, get with the program. Ensure punishment fits. Quite trying to ruin a student's memory. One wonders what was dished out for the love makers--?

[Chuck77474]

Is it me or are instances of school administration making bozo decisions on the rise? Doesn't speak well for our nation's school system.

[margroks]

I cannot fathom their logic in punishing the girl who reported indecent behavior on a school bus while not punishing the adult chaperons. I mean really! I'd sue the school system for subjecting my daughter to such behavior.

[Zann-Zel]

Well how do you expect them to "punish" a chaperone? Chaperones are usually parents that have volunteered to go. They aren't students, they aren't employees. Its not illegal to have missed seeing something. How're you gonna punish them?

[KJeroH]

My guess is, like most businesses and agencies, self-protection is the first mode of defense. The girl gave them a public relations nightmare. It would have been better if she just kept her mouth shut and that is EXACTLY the message they want to send. Don't be a hero. Mind your own business. Nothing to see here. Just move along.

[fmremplee]

As a former employee of this school (my contract was not renewed because I was not part of the "in" group), I can tell you that the first response is to "circle the wagons." The reason the child is not being allowed to attend the end of year celebration dance is because she told the truth. The administration at this school does not want any negative publicity getting out regarding the school, and therefore will do anything they have to, up to and including punishing someone for exposing the truth. I have several horror stories of how teachers and students are treated at that school. In fact, there is some history here. Dayton Leadership Academy, Dayton View Campus is under the umbrella of Edison Schools, and their sister academy in Dayton is Dayton Leadership Academy, Dayton View Campus. The link to what happened in included here:

http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=10A48B5E76480E04&p_docnum=2 and here:

http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=10A49C72F59C43DE&p_docnum=3

These schools operate, in part, by funds given to them by The Fordham Foundation. I wonder if The Fordham Foundation is aware of this tragic event?

Perhaps someone with the wherewithall will investigate this school further. There are plenty of teachers, like me, that were recently let go and have plenty to tell.

[Zann-Zel]

But before they punished her it wasn't "publicity" at all. Just one mom going into the office to let them know what her daughter saw. They could easily have kept it quiet, if they'd acted with some sense!

[guyfrompa46]

who are the morons running this school. I wouldn;t want my kid going there.

[bree1345]

These so called adults are suppose to be setting and example and sending good messages to our kids. Can't see any good message in the actions taken against this young lady. Lord help us.