Title IX mediation

[Anonymous]

Hi all

Our queer kiddo has faced severe and pervasive discrimination at a MCPS school. The fed office of civil rights has reviewed our evidence and is proceeding with a mediation. I was told by OCR we can make whatever asks we want. MCPS has offered an administrative transfer but given how severe the discrimination was (both from students and staff) we are uncomfortable staying in mcps. Does anyone else have experience with mediation? We are looking for policy changes at mcps (ie mandatory training for students and staff). We also are going to ask the county to pay for private school tuition. My child has needed to see a psychiatrist and start meds due to the hostile environment at school (we have exceptionally detailed records of all of the reports we have made the the school regarding this. Has anyone else had experience with this? I cannot believe how poorly my child has been treated in a very progressive Down county school. He bas been called faggot, tranny, asked about his genitals, told he is a sin and is repeatedly deadnamed publicly even after officially changing his name. We are not sure that we want to hire a lawyer but are considering it. We need a title IX experts though, not an educational lawyer. Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

You won’t get them to pay for private without a massive fight. You’re probably more likely to litigate and get a settlement or judgment that you could then use for private, but that’s also a major uphill battle.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I’m thinking I go to the mediation, get shot down, then OCR will do a full investigation. Once I get the findings, we can use these for a civil suit. Honestly though if the mediation was successful in significant policy change I would be ok w that and would give public school (at a different school) another try. They already offered an administrative transfer w transportation so they definitely know that there were a lot of missteps on their part (and therefore significant liability)

[Anonymous]

What is your timeline looking like here and what is your interim plan? I would think that these would be factors in Your decision. Your plan sounds like it will take years to get movement.

This is awful to hear. We did not have that experience at MCPS. My child came out in MS so we had two schools. But it is a reason we stayed in MCPS - because we expected it would be better than in other places.

[Anonymous]

I am not sure you will find a more liberal leaning population outside of MCPS.