In

Fayette County's public schools last year, only

two cases of sexual contact involving students

were reported, according to school system

officials.

One

of the two incidents occurred in February at Flat

Rock Middle School, said Wayne Robinson, director

of secondary school operations. Two eighth

graders - a boy and girl - met in a

restroom during class time, Robinson said.

The

students were discovered in the restroom by

another student, who reported the incident to a

teacher, Robinson added.

The

two students admitted their part in the incident,

Robinson said. They received the same punishment

as the students in the other reported case of

sexual contact, which occurred on a bus headed

towards Rising Starr Middle School in April,

Robinson said.

The

students in both cases were suspended for the

rest of the school year, but they can apply to

Fayette County Alternative School to continue

their education, Robinson said.

The

students must complete a full semester at the

alternative school before they can re-enter their

regular schools, Robinson said. That is so they

will get their full academic credit for the

semester, he added.

Sexual

contact is one of five types of "sexual

impropriety" outlined in the school system's

student code of conduct. The others are: indecent

exposure, sexual harassment and inappropriate

public displays of affection.

Only

one of those four types of cases was reported

this school year. A student at Flat Rock Middle

was charged with sexual harassment during spring

semester, Robinson said. The student was

suspended for the rest of the year and will

attend the alternative school for at least the

first semester of the upcoming school year.

In

all three cases, the students avoided an

appearance before a disciplinary tribunal.

Instead, the students and their parents signed

waivers indicating the students were guilty of

the infraction ... and that they accept the

punishment recommended by the school system.

Incidents

of "sexual impropriety" between

students are very rare, Robinson said.

"It

is certainly out of the ordinary," Robinson

said. Over three years ago, the school system

developed language for the conduct code to

address sexually inappropriate behavior by

students, he added.

"We

don't even let them hold hands. There are strict

rules about body contact," Robinson said.

"We have been criticized for that, but we

feel like those things lead to other things, and

we don't allow that."

Cases

of sexual impropriety between students, while

unusual, are fully investigated by principals,

Robinson added.

"Our

principals act accordingly and follow the

guidelines," Robinson said.

Some

cases involving public displays of affection are

handled at the school level, Robinson said. As

for the cases handled by the tribunal, each is

judged on the individual factors as far as guilt

or innocence of the students accused, Robinson

said.

The

punishments recommended by the school aren't done

like plea bargains in court, Robinson added.

"There

is no reducing the penalty," he said.

"... It can either be accepted or we can go

to the tribunal hearing."

If

a student is found guilty of a violation of the

conduct code, the tribunal selects the penalty.

The tribunal - composed of a teacher, a

counselor and an administrator - can use the

penalty recommended by the school, or they can

change it, Robinson said.

The

tribunal's decision can be appealed to the school

board, Robinson said.

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