OXFORD – The Maine Human Rights Commission has found “no reasonable grounds” to claims that the rights of a former Paris Elementary School student who was allegedly harassed by classmates in 2006 and 2007 were violated by SAD 17 officials.

The action by the Maine Human Rights Commission marks the end of more than a yearlong investigation by three agencies into the allegations.

Last year, Martin and Leisha Petrovich, the parents of the alleged victim who lived in Paris at the time, said then that their 7-year-old daughter was subject to continued harassment by boys ages 7 and 8 for months, including harassment of a sexual nature.

The Petrovichs filed complaints with three state and federal agencies – the Maine Human Rights Commission, the federal Office for Civil Rights in Boston, and the Maine Department of Education. None of the agencies found grounds to support the Petrovichs’ charges against the school district.

The latest decision was adopted by the Maine Human Rights Commission on Dec. 8 during the panel’s monthly meeting in Augusta.

“The investigator recommended that there were no reasonable grounds (for action against SAD 17.) There were no objections to the report and the commissioners adopted the recommendation,” Executive Director Patricia Ryan said Tuesday.

The Maine Human Rights Commission is the state agency charged with enforcing Maine’s anti-discrimination laws. It investigates complaints of unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, education, access to public accommodations, extension of credit, and offensive names.

“From our point, this is the last active piece that was out there. We’re certainly very happy they found no fault,” SAD 17 Superintendent Mark Eastman said.

The Petrovichs could not be reached for comment.

Eastman said the Petrovichs’ action served a useful purpose for school officials by prompting them to review policies and procedures and making sure they are clearly understood by staff and students.

Additionally, officials updated procedures where necessary and added educational components at schools related to inappropriate touching and other matters that he said needed to be strengthened.