Parents speak out amidst lawsuit against Lorena ISD and primary school principal
LORENA, Texas (KWTX) - Several Lorena ISD parents are speaking out amidst a lawsuit against the school district and their primary school principal, April Jewell.
The lawsuit was filed back in August of 2023 by the parents of a pre-k student after she was sexually abused by one of her teachers, Nicolas Crenshaw, back in 2021.
According to the lawsuit, several employees reported their suspicions about the abuse, but Jewell and the district both failed to inform the parents, CPS, or law enforcement.
When it all came out after the parents reported the abuse to law enforcement, Jewell claimed in a court appeal to not know it was sexual abuse.
Most recently, the district and primary principal filed for a motion to dismiss the lawsuit against them, which was denied by a federal judge.
On June 11th, primary principal Jewell filed an appeal with the fifth circuit court.
But as this court case moves forward, many parents are now looking toward the school board to take action and remove principal April Jewel.
“Someone who lets something like that happen on their watch, that means there’s a lot more things under the surface,” said Lorena ISD parent Lane Wakefield. “Who knows how many other situations are going on between parents, kids, administrators.”
He described this lawsuit as the tip of an iceberg, with many others now coming forward about their own experiences with Jewell.
Parents like Allison Kelly say they’re worried about sending their kids to school now.
“As a mom I want my kids to be safe when they go to school and I do not feel like with the current administrator and the decision making that she has proven, not only in this court case but in a lot of cases,” she said. “I’ve shared conversations with moms, with current teachers, with previous teachers. I’ve seen this pattern of behavior, and it does not make me feel good about sending my child there.”
Despite their concerns, parents say the district administration has done nothing to take accountability.
“Seeing the way that they’re handling this one administrator and this one superintendent, and the fact that they are doing everything they can to keep them, it’s really disheartening and discouraging,” Kelly shared.
Their hope now is that the school board will hear their concerns and remove principal Jewel from her position.
“I want the school board to make the right decision so that I as a parent feel safe sending my kids to school and I know that they’re safe there,” she said.
And many Lorena ISD parents feel the same way, with over 700 signatures on a petition demanding Jewel’s resignation.
However, many are scared to speak out because of the retaliation those who have, have experienced.
Wakefield explained that “It’s sad that individual people can be attacked for trying to ask questions about the safety of kids.”
“We’re just trying to keep our kids safe and we’re trying to make sure that the right people are in the right jobs,” Kelly shared.
In a statement sent to KWTX Lorena ISD said “Lorena ISD will not comment on pending litigation. The district intends to move forward with defending the claims and allegations that have been made against it and its employees”.
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