School Abuse Lawsuit Faces Big Setback, Parents Still Stand Firm

A federal judge this week dismissed most of the civil claims against the Millsap Independent School District that had stemmed from a viral video showing teachers allegedly abusing special‑needs students. The decision has left parents upset, but they say the fight is far from over. The lawsuit began after a former assistant teacher recorded footage at Millsap Elementary in March 2025. Parents claimed the video showed staff hitting, yelling at and humiliating children with disabilities. One mother described her son being struck repeatedly while another said her daughter was threatened and mistreated. The video prompted a criminal investigation by state education officials and local law enforcement. In the same month, former superintendent Edie Martin and two teachers were arrested on charges of abuse and failure to report. A grand jury later indicted four educators for failing to report child abuse. In June 2025, three mothers filed a federal suit against the district, Martin, the principal Roxie Carter, and teachers Paxton Bean and Jennifer Dale. They alleged abuse, lack of training, and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. The parents argued that the incidents were not isolated but part of a pattern that should have been stopped by district leadership.The judge, in a 23‑page opinion, found that the lawsuit did not meet legal standards for holding the district or most individual defendants liable under federal civil rights and disability law. He noted that once the school leaders learned of the abuse, they removed staff from duty, reported to authorities and launched an investigation. As a result, the claims of failure to train or supervise were dismissed. The ruling allowed one claim to proceed against teacher Bean, who was accused of punching a student. The judge said that such conduct could be seen as unconstitutional if it was not part of legitimate discipline, and he allowed the case to move forward against Bean. The other claims were dismissed with prejudice, meaning they cannot be refiled. Parents reacted with mixed feelings. One mother said she was disappointed that the civil suit failed but thanked the court for keeping the criminal charges alive. The families involved have since taken their children out of public schools, citing trauma from the events. They remain hopeful that this case will spark broader changes in how special‑needs education is managed. Criminal proceedings are still active. A plea hearing for Martin and Dale is set for Tuesday in county court.