Great Bend Post
GREAT BEND -Despite the prepared statement by USD 428 Superintendent Brad Reed, on the alleged sexual assault of a student on a school activity bus, hundreds of students and community members were not happy what the superintendent was saying. They organized a protest outside the District Education Center on South Patton Road in Great Bend.
Students gathered in front of the First Assembly of God church and began to walk south towards the district office. The crowd initially remained near the street holding signs demanding justice and answers from the district.
Reed even went out to greet the protesters and engaged in conversation with many members in what appeared to be an attempt to calm the waters. When an attempt to march into the district office was thwarted by law enforcement, the crowd began to yell questions Reed’s way and ask for clear answers and punishments for those that were involved in the alleged sexual assault of a freshman swimmer on February 6.
Students eventually decided to sit in front of the entrance. Upon refusal to move, Barton County Sheriff’s Officers warned the protesters to move and later arrested three female students placing them in handcuffs. USD 428 elected to not press charges and the students were later released.
Reed mentioned in his statement that based on the district’s research into the case, they do not believe criminal activity occurred…something that did not settle well with the alleged victim’s mom and the hundreds of protesters outside.
Reed also addressed reports of students being allowed to participate in the state swim meet this weekend even though they had committed serious infractions. Reed said no student in USD 428 who should receive discipline would ever be allowed to represent the school or the district.
Reed said swim coach Steve Beaumont, Principal Tim Friess and Athletic Director David Meter have been on top of the incident from the time it happened, and have handled it in an appropriate and swift manner.
Michele O’Neil, mother of the alleged victim, said her son’s backpack was thrown to the back of the school bus and when he went to retrieve the bag he was thrown down to the floor. His teammates eventually pulled his pants down and proceeded to sexually assault the victim according to O’Neil.
Since the alleged assault happened on a highway in Ellsworth County, the Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office is handling the case. The Sheriff’s Office will file their investigation with the Ellsworth County Attorney to determine what criminal charges to seek.