Virginia Supreme Court allows grand jury probe into sexual assaults at Loudoun Co. schools

The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday upheld a lower court ruling to allow a grand jury to continue its investigation into the handling of two sexual assaults by Loudoun County Public Schools.

A circuit court judge in July had rejected Loudoun County School Board's request for an injunction to keep the grand jury from proceeding.

The grand jury was empaneled by Attorney General Jason Miyares to investigate why the school system allowed a boy accused of sexual assault against a girl in one high school to transfer to another high school, where he was convicted of sexually assaulting another girl.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin, R, had issued an executive order requesting an investigation by the attorney general's office on his first day in office.

The school board argued that the grand jury is politically motivated and violates the Virginia constitution's mandate that local school boards have authority over educational affairs.

"The school board has offered no convincing argument for why the grand jury investigation infringes this provision," the court wrote in its decision. "The school board will continue to oversee the county's schools exactly as before. The constitutional power to administer a school district does not bring with it immunity from investigation for violations of the criminal law."

Youngkin reacted to ruling in a statement, saying, "Today's ruling by Virginia's Supreme Court to uphold our investigation in Loudoun is a victory for parents, teachers, and students."

"We are pleased with the court's ruling and ready to move forward," Miyares said in a statement. "This is yet another win for both Loudoun families and the commonwealth in our fight for justice and answers."

"Loudoun County Public Schools appreciates the Supreme Court's consideration of the unusual circumstances regarding this special grand jury," the school system said in a statement. "While LCPS is disappointed in the results, it will continue to comply with the special grand jury's requests and awaits the results of its investigation."