It’s been over a week since Deshler High School freshman August Borden suffered severe injuries walking to football practice after school, and parents still don’t have clear answers on what really happened.
School officials have given conflicting accounts of the incident, initially stating that another student was responsible, but later claiming it was due to an accidental fall down six short steps in front of the school.
August Borden’s parents have been pushing for transparency, believing the school is trying to stall and cover up details in the hope that the issue will blow over.
However, due to significant public pushback, Tuscumbia City Schools superintendent Russ Tate issued a statement saying they were investigating the matter internally and cooperating with local law enforcement.
On Wednesday, the school sent a letter to parents again stating their cooperation. The letter admitted staff members were on the scene when Borden was injured and said an investigation was launched “immediately,” despite what August Borden’s parents were told.
"We went into the SRO office. He basically said that he wasn't aware of any other investigation, that this was pretty open and closed. Just a kid that fell down," Jason Borden, August Borden’s father, told 1819 News. "We asked him if there's video footage and he said, I don't know… That leads me to believe that there was no internal investigation and that Russ Tate, the superintendent, lied to me."
Jason Borden recorded his conversations with police and school officials. He recently released three clips to podcaster Catey Hall that show what he was initially told about another student’s involvement and the school's failure to investigate.
Jason Borden and Drew Van Devender, August Borden’s stepfather, shared a “call to action” with Hall, who shared it on her Facebook page. In it, the two dads ask for students, parents or anyone who has felt negatively impacted by Tuscumbia City Schools to come forward and send in a video statement as part of a project that “will be seen by millions.”
Dear parents and students of Tuscumbia City Schools,
We cannot tell you how proud we are of the support you’ve shown through this brutal attack on August over the past two weeks. While we are fighting for the justice August deserves, we’ve also heard your stories — stories that point to problems with the system as a whole.
How do you feel sending your children to school each day, knowing that teachers have openly said they were tired of hearing about a student who almost died on their campus? How do you feel about a superintendent who worked harder to protect a football program than to protect a child?
It’s time for your voices to be heard.
We are putting together a video that will be seen by millions. We are asking for a quick 5–10 second clip of you or your family telling Tuscumbia City School administration how this has made you feel. If you’ve been a victim of past cover-ups or abuse within the Tuscumbia City School system, we want to hear from you too.
Your clip can be audio, video, or both. Please send submissions to [email protected].
August’s story would have been buried without this community. You are as important to this case as anyone. It’s time to follow the school’s own advice and stand up to bullying.
— Jason and Drew
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