January 31, 2008 - San Antonio elementary principal charged with molesting boy

SAN ANTONIO — An elementary school principal has been charged with molesting a 13-year-old student, and police said they're investigating the possibility that there could be other victims.

Michael Alcoser, 41, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of aggravated sexual assault and jailed on $75,000 bond.

Police searched Alcoser's home last week and took computers, digital cameras and videos as part of an investigation that was prompted by a mother's complaint, according to an arrest affidavit. The mother claimed a school employee told her of rumors that Alcoser had "done something" to her son.

The affidavit said police confiscated images of the alleged victim, two compact discs that "depicted adult men having sex with adolescent male children" and handwritten notes from children that were "inappropriate and sexual in nature."

Police also seized pictures of other unidentified children.

"In these cases, historically, we are never done with one victim," Police Sgt. Gabe Trevino said. "Odds are good there may be more victims."

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"You take your child to school.  The state requires it. 

There ought to be some level of protection." - Parent's attorney

January 16, 2008

"Our standard for safety and well-being for students is important to us," Eanes Superintendent Nola Wellman said outside court, "and we're pleased that that was found to be true."

 Contrary to the superintendent's assertions, Eanes ISD did not earn a gold star from the jury for "safety and well-being standards"  The jury did not rule on the district's general "standard for safety and well-being for students" or the "importance" of that standard to Eanes ISD.  The jury ruled on a specific issue regarding notification of the harassment which is a legal standard.  In order to hold a school district liable, the parent must document that the district received specific notification of the harassment.  Documentation is vital including written communications and recorded conversations.  Title IX’s express means of enforcement requires "actual notice to officials of the funding recipient and an opportunity for voluntary compliance before administrative enforcement proceedings can commence."  See Gebser v. Lago Vista ISD.  Read also Protecting Students from Harassment and Hate Crimes.

Daniel Burns, the parent's attorney, is quoted in the Westlake Picayune "The plaintiff genuinely believes that there was knowledge that something had happened at the school, and that there was at least some effort to cover it up. You take your child to school.  The state requires it.  There ought to be some level of protection." Judge Sam Sparks is also quoted as saying he thought it "very close" as to whether the plaintiff had met the burden of proof.

When children are hurt, they usually just leave the district and we never hear the details.  If parents advocate, children and their families are often further hurt. 

I wish healing and comfort for these three little girls who were hurt during their time in Eanes ISD.  I wish the same for their families. 

It is important to remember that this abuse could have happened to any child ... including our own. 

Dianna Pharr

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Link:  Jury in abuse case rules in favor of Eanes school district

Jurors say district had not been notified of child's harassment claims.

"Our standard for safety and well-being for students is important to us," Eanes Superintendent Nola Wellman said outside court, "and we're pleased that that was found to be true."

The mother who filed the lawsuit claiming violations of Title IX of federal education law on behalf of her daughter left court without comment. Another mother, whose daughter's outcry first revealed possible sexual interaction among kindergarten girls at the West Lake Hills-area school, sobbed outside. She also sued the district and school Principal Jennifer Dusek, but those claims were dismissed by Sparks before the trial.

"My main goal was to make sure that the school take responsibility for what they let happen," she said. "Now it seems like they are questioning whether it ever happened."

First article (of two articles) published on January 15, 2008