KATY, Texas — A Houston-area father is speaking out against Katy ISD, claiming his daughter was suspended for defending herself against a male student.
The father claims his daughter fought back after a male student hit her in class in March.
Both students were suspended.
The father claims the information he has requested from Katy ISD police is so heavily redacted that he cannot obtain justice for his daughter.
“Do you understand how it feels when people ask me why I haven’t filed charges against the student who assaulted my daughter? How can I when the system that is supposed to help me is actively working against me?” he said. “Everyone refers me to KISD police, who has jurisdiction and refuse to allow me to press charges.”
He wants the district’s code of conduct changed to reflect similar situations.
The incident occurred at Taylor High School and involved a male student attacking a female student who appears to be fighting back.
At a board meeting earlier this month, parents requested that KISD review its code of conduct after a video of the attack raised concerns about how the district handles self-defense situations.
“If that video didn’t exist, these administrators wouldn’t be here facing tough questions from all of us,” one parent stated at the April 14 board meeting. “Our children deserve better.”
In response to the outcry, Katy ISD’s board president admitted that the district needs more guidance on how to respond when students claim they acted in self-defense. However, the board took no formal action during the meeting.
Katy ISD issued this statement following the altercation:
“The District is aware of an altercation between two students at Taylor High School on Tuesday, March 25. Katy ISD campus administration and police conducted an immediate investigation to verify the details of the altercation and contacted the students’ parents/guardians. Once investigated by campus administrators and the Katy ISD Police, students whose behavior violates the Student Code of Conduct face disciplinary consequences in accordance with Katy ISD Discipline Management, the Student Code of Conduct and law enforcement, when appropriate. The safety and well-being of all Katy ISD students is of the utmost importance at every District campus.”
