The Oklahoma school district where a transgender student died this year after an altercation in a bathroom violated federal law by mishandling sexual harassment allegations, according to an investigation by the federal Education Department. The department’s Office of Civil Rights opened an investigation into Owasso Public Schools in March following a complaint from the Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest LGBTQ advocacy organization. A photograph of Nex Benedict is projected at a candlelight service in Oklahoma City on Feb. 24. The department said the district failed to respond to sexual harassment allegations repeatedly over three years, in violation of Title IX regulations that were implemented in 2020. The new regulations require district staff members to explain the process to file Title IX complaints or promptly contact complainants to discuss supportive measures like counseling or schedule changes.

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Persons: Nex Benedict, Nate Billings, Benedict, Sue, “, ”, Jordan Korphage, Margaret Coates, ” Coates, ” Kelley Robinson, ” Robinson Organizations: federal Education Department, Civil Rights, Owasso Public Schools, Human Rights, HRC, Owasso High, The Oklahoman, USA, U.K, Education Department, Owasso Public, District Locations: Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, America