LORENA, Texas — Lorena Independent School District became the topic of conversation amongst the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) at a meeting on June 26. It comes as a lawsuit that was filed by parents of a pre-k student who was sexually abused at Lorena Primary School continues to play out in court.
It's a case that has been brought to the attention of Evelyn Brooks, the State Board of Education Representative of District 14, which includes Lorena ISD. Now she is getting involved.
"The more I dug into it, the more I discovered and the more alarms were set," Brooks said. "I knew I had to do something to help this community."
The lawsuit against Lorena Independent School District and the principal of Lorena Primary School, April Jewell, has been playing out in a Waco federal court for going on a year.
The lawsuit comes after Nicolas Scott Crenshaw, a long-term substitute teacher for Lorena ISD, was convicted and sentenced for charges related to sexual abuse of and indecency with two students at Lorena Primary School between 2020 and 2021, according to the lawsuit obtained by 6 News.
The parents of one of the children filed the lawsuit against the school district and the principal for failure to investigate and report Crenshaw's acts against the 4 and 5-year-old, even though multiple Lorena Primary School staff reported their concerns, according to the complaint.
At the SBOE meeting, Brooks asked questions to Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath. Her questions included what kind of guidance he can give on what she can do surrounding situations like the one that has been unfolding in Lorena ISD for several years now. Brooks also wanted to know what state education leaders, including the TEA, can do to prevent something like the sexual abuse that allegedly happened for a year under the supervision of a principal.
Morath explained how situations like the one in Lorena should be handled.
"I would encourage parents first and foremost to surface the problem with their school district," Morath explained. "If it's really egregious, they can file a complaint with us directly or if they find that a school system is not taking action to address it locally, they can file a complaint with us."
Brooks tells 6 News she was happy to have Morath give perspective and direction about the situation as she is jumping at the opportunity to start change in Texas education and standing with Lorena families who demand action.
"What they're asking for is for their administrator to resign, especially until the end of this court case and I don't think that's unreasonable," Brooks said. "I don't think that this should stop until parents get what they ask for."
That is Brooks' belief primarily because she believes the Texas education mission is to serve children and families and that shouldn't be forgotten.
"It is not about covering and saving face and business as usual," Brooks added. "We don't get a do over with children and I think that's what people need to understand is we have to take care of our children."
According to the district's website, Jewell remains the principal of Lorena Primary School.
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