LRSD Creates Harassment Investigation Committee
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: September 20, 2012
Little Rock School District's Superintendent says he formed a committee Thursday to investigate harassment claims after a study reported widespread discrimination against Latino students by African Americans within LRSD.
Dr. Morris Holmes says he plans to dissect the study and track down the perpetrators while also working to improve communication with Latino families.
Former Hall High School Josue Andonaegui said he witnessed and experienced the harassment not too long ago.
"I remember one time we were in the lunch line and we all cut in the line, but everyone does right? The lunch lady pushed us out of line, she said I'm not going to serve these Mexicans today," he said.
It's the type of treatment listed along with sexual harassment and other claims of discrimination against Latino students by African- Americans, mentioned in Operation Intercept, a study by a UALR professor.
"Sometimes there were students who would say mean things to us but most of the time it was grown-ups who made us feel uncomfortable," Andonaegui added.
"I was not aware that Latino kids were targeted," Dr. Holmes said from district headquarters.
A day after addressing the study Dr. Holmes says he's already created a committee to track down people involved in the claims.
"No grass will grow under our feet, it is an ethical issue, it is a moral issue, now that I know," he said.
He pointed to current discrimination policies, outlined in the student handbook which comes in English and Spanish but Josue argues, some have been lost in translation.
"The handbook is not translated as people would understand, Like horse playing, I remember them translating it as "caballaso" but in Spanish that's not even a word to me."
Now, the district is working on making it more user friendly, hoping to reverse what's being called a disturbing trend.
"I have family members in the Little Rock School District, I want change for them," said Andonaegui.
KARK spoke with families and students of all ages, and while some reported harassment, there were others who reported they have not experienced or witnessed it.
Dr. Morris Holmes says he plans to dissect the study and track down the perpetrators while also working to improve communication with Latino families.
Former Hall High School Josue Andonaegui said he witnessed and experienced the harassment not too long ago.
"I remember one time we were in the lunch line and we all cut in the line, but everyone does right? The lunch lady pushed us out of line, she said I'm not going to serve these Mexicans today," he said.
It's the type of treatment listed along with sexual harassment and other claims of discrimination against Latino students by African- Americans, mentioned in Operation Intercept, a study by a UALR professor.
"Sometimes there were students who would say mean things to us but most of the time it was grown-ups who made us feel uncomfortable," Andonaegui added.
"I was not aware that Latino kids were targeted," Dr. Holmes said from district headquarters.
A day after addressing the study Dr. Holmes says he's already created a committee to track down people involved in the claims.
"No grass will grow under our feet, it is an ethical issue, it is a moral issue, now that I know," he said.
He pointed to current discrimination policies, outlined in the student handbook which comes in English and Spanish but Josue argues, some have been lost in translation.
"The handbook is not translated as people would understand, Like horse playing, I remember them translating it as "caballaso" but in Spanish that's not even a word to me."
Now, the district is working on making it more user friendly, hoping to reverse what's being called a disturbing trend.
"I have family members in the Little Rock School District, I want change for them," said Andonaegui.
KARK spoke with families and students of all ages, and while some reported harassment, there were others who reported they have not experienced or witnessed it.
Comments
Now we will have Jesse Jackson and others like him coming to Arkansas claiming that young black students have been harrassed for hundreds of years and no committee was ever formed. There will be protests galore.
William S.
September 21, 2012 at 8:23 am
