Parents of Chaparral Elementary students in Albuquerque are demanding changes to district policies after allegations that a fourth-grade student inappropriately touched at least 10 classmates led to an investigation that concluded without sufficient evidence.

Investigation and Findings

The case became public during the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education meeting on June 17, when parent Victoria Standley addressed board members about her son’s allegations. Standley later told KOAT she first learned about the allegations in March when the school’s vice principal called her.

The APS Equal Opportunity Services report dated June 12 states that 10 student statements alleged similar conduct involving the accused student at Chaparral Elementary. According to the report, students said the child “grabbed their crotch” and “had touched their bottom” over clothing.

APS ultimately concluded there was “no corroborated evidence” that inappropriate touching occurred. The report also noted investigators could not determine whether similarities in the students’ statements were the result of “conscious or unconscious collusion.”

Parental Concerns and Demands

Standley said that explanation was one of the most troubling parts of the report. Another parent, Alexandria Pacheco, also rejected that conclusion, saying the children were not all part of the same friend group and would have no reason to fabricate such allegations.

Both mothers criticized the district’s handling of the case after spring break, saying the three-day suspension was insufficient. Pacheco said families were presented with no-contact contracts that made her son feel like he was the one in trouble.

Pacheco also said she never received the EOS findings report and only learned of its contents after Standley shared it with her. In emails reviewed by KOAT, Pacheco repeatedly asked APS administrators about safety measures, broader questioning of students, and stronger action.

Standley, who identified herself as a social worker, said APS needs to adopt a more trauma-informed process for investigating student-on-student sexual misconduct. She called for revisions to the district’s sexual harassment policies and the inclusion of a clinician in policy development for matters affecting student emotional well-being.

Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.