Lawyer files complaint on behalf of black student's family

ATHENS - An attorney has filed a complaint against the Clarke County School District on behalf of the parents of a black student, claiming that the child was tied to a tree and hit by three classmates. <br> <br> Atlanta attorney Matt Billips filed the complaint yesterday with the U.S. Department of Education&#39;s Office for Civil Rights. It accuses the school system of racial discrimination. <br> <br> The complaint says on November 20, three white students at Hilsman Middle School tied the student to a tree. It says one of the classmates struck the student with a plastic soda bottle and that the others hit the student with ``various objects.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The complaint says the school ``took no effective remedial or disciplinary action&#39;&#39; against the students. Neither the parents nor the child are named. <br> <br> Superintendent Lewis Holloway says he investigated the incident at the middle school at the request of the child&#39;s parents. He says he concluded that the three had been properly disciplined but would not say how the three were punished. <br> <br> Holloway added that what he called the ``supposed rope&#39;&#39; was never tied. In his words, ``it was just kids playing.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> A spokesman for the Office of Civil Rights in Washington says it takes 30 to 45 days for the office to make sure a complaint is within its jurisdiction.