Clarke County Schools: 'Mistakes were made' in rape investigation

ATHENS, Ga. - Many Clarke County School District parents all know the story. Police said a 15-year-old girl was raped by three classmates inside a stairwell at Cedar Shoals High School. But what they'd like to know is why district officials never told them.

App users: Click here to watch video report

"We question the glaring lack of communication both internal and external in the aftermath of this unspeakable act against a child at our school," a parent attending the Clarke County School Board meeting Thursday night told FOX 5 News.

The alleged incident happened on January 7, but many parents said the first they heard of it was from a local newspaper story that ran February 4, three days after suspects Javious Collins, Markell Brannon, and Xavier Clarke were all arrested.

"There were obviously protocols and practices that were not done well and mistakes made," said Associate Superintendent Ted Gilbert at the meeting.

He admits communication with parents and staff should have happened differently.

"Our preliminary conclusion is that disciplinary action could and should have occurred earlier than it did," said Gilbert.

Gilbert said the investigation is ongoing, but told parents the school district will be adding more police patrols as well as installing more cameras and lights in the building.