Student's rape claim prompts school staff changes

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A DeKalb County high school student claimed several boys raped her at school. The school's principal has since been removed, and now several staff members are at the center of internal affairs investigations, while a number of students are being punished.

The alleged rape happened at Martin Luther King Jr. High School off Snapfinger Road in Lithonia.

A DeKalb district spokesperson told Channel 2 Action News Everett Patrick is now the principal of Pleasantdale Elementary School in Doraville.

"Mr. Patrick was transferred because the elementary school was a more appropriate setting for his leadership style," an email from spokesman Jeff Dickerson read.

According to a marquee in front of MLK and the school's website, Vivian Terry is the interim principal of the high school.

Byfield has confirmed several staff members, a teacher and more than one coach, are at the center of an internal affairs probe. The boys involved in the alleged rape faced a disciplinary panel on Tuesday.

District leaders have not said how the boys were punished.

One parent said the school's new principal recently sent a letter to parent outlining several changes she planned to make, including mandating students must leave the high school by 3:45 p.m. on school days, unless they are involved in an after-school activity.

WSBTV