Jury to Decide If Chapel Hill School Ignored Assault Claims

Parents allege school district failed to act on reports of student sexual abuse.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 12:07pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a child's backpack against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conveying a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic without depicting any violence, victims, or identifiable individuals.A harsh, forensic-style image of a child's backpack highlights the serious allegations and investigations surrounding reported incidents of sexual abuse at a local elementary school.Chapel Hill Today

An Orange County jury will consider whether Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools leaders failed to properly respond to 2019 reports that kindergarten students at Frank Porter Graham Bilingüe Elementary were sexually assaulted. The civil case, brought by a parent on behalf of her child, will scrutinize if school staff followed required reporting rules and safety protocols when the initial disclosures surfaced.

Why it matters

The case has stirred anxiety and anger among some Chapel Hill-Carrboro parents, who are already grappling with wider district decisions about school closures and program moves. Local opinion pieces and message-board threads reflect frustration from families who say they want clearer reporting procedures and more visible safeguards for young students.

The details

The complaint alleges a male kindergarten classmate repeatedly touched the plaintiff's daughter and that a male substitute teacher later violently abused a different student. The school system has denied that a substitute teacher abused students and says it investigated the complaints, met with families and put safety measures in place.

  • In March 2025, a federal judge granted summary judgment on the family's Title IX and constitutional claims.
  • The upcoming April jury session in Orange County Superior Court will determine if the district or individual staff members were negligent under state law.

The players

Rebecca Fox

The mother who filed the civil case on behalf of her child.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools

The school district that is being sued for allegedly mishandling reports of sexual assault at Frank Porter Graham Bilingüe Elementary.

Andy Jenks

A spokesman for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district.

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What they’re saying

“The system 'looks forward to presenting our evidence to the court, where a more complete factual record can be developed.'”

— Andy Jenks, District spokesman

What’s next

The April jury session in Orange County Superior Court is expected to hear testimony from parents, district officials, teachers and therapists about the alleged incidents and the school's response.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges schools face in properly addressing reports of student sexual abuse, and the need for clear, transparent reporting procedures and robust safety protocols to protect young students.