LYNDHURST, Ohio — Following last week's student-led walkout at Brush High School, the South Euclid-Lyndhurst School Board released this statement addressing public concerns after the administration came under fire for discussing the female dress code at the school and telling the girls they could be responsible for boys' potential sexual harassment, depending on how they dressed.
"The South Euclid Lyndhurst Schools is aware of concerns that have emerged, which prompted some students to express their viewpoints through a walkout earlier today. The district treats these concerns with the utmost importance and urgency and is actively and thoroughly investigating them. The well-being of our students and staff is a top priority of the South Euclid Lyndhurst Schools, and we will communicate further updates in an appropriate manner at the proper time."
The saga continued this week, as the board met for the first time since the walkout. Members at Tuesday's gathering took public comments from frustrated parents and students who believe their fears about sexual harassment aren't being taken into account.
"Our district is hands-down committed to a harassment-free staff and student culture," Board President Cassandra Jones said, "and this matter that's being questioned is being investigated."
When asked by a parent about specifics, Jones would only respond it was a "legal investigation." She claimed she "can't speak to what's going on, but it is being actively conducted."
The board then shut down further questions after saying they had been legally advised not to discuss any claims that have been made about Brush staff or students, but that left students and parents more frustrated than before.
"I feel like I got blown off," Melissa Anderson, one of the parents in attendance, told 3News. "They knew what their answer was going to be. I'm not sure if the investigation is to the claims based on the walkout or on specific cases."
Now, members of the community have more questions than answers.
"They have a legal investigation going on right now," fellow parent Roylene Payne said, "but it wasn't an investigation until they protested last week."
In the meantime, students are scrutinizing what school administrators are doing to make them feel safe.
"I'm very disturbed on the answers we got today," Payne's daughter Jamie, one of the walkout's organizers, said. "They dodged every question we asked, even if it wasn't related to the assault or the harassment that's been going on in the school."
Jamie's classmates are also weary about what comes next.
"I'm just confused," Melissa Anderson's daughter Lillian lamented, "because honestly I don't know what I can do from here."
Melissa and others say the administration's approach to the issue, followed by the school board's response, is useless if no immediate action is taken.
"We're taught from a young age we should take accountability for our actions," student Alanna Silverman said, "so we're looking for the administration to take accountability for what they said and the problems they're constantly ignoring."