School responds to race charges

 Summerville High School issued a statement Thursday in response to parent and community-member requests that school administrators examine racially charged incidents on campus.

District Superintendent John Keiter issued a statement that described the district’s efforts to promote respect and understanding within its curriculum and peer relationship training.

It was in reaction to parent Peggy Blue’s complaint about the school’s handling of what she said were racially charged incidents on campus.
   

 “Recent reports of hate-related conduct at our school have painted a one-sided picture of reality at Summerville High School,” Keiter wrote. “We pride ourselves on respect and teamwork here as we focus daily on student learning.”

Keiter explained how freshman students are trained in “healthy” behaviors and how school textbooks emphasize communication across cultural boundaries, avoidance of prejudice, conflict resolution and violence prevention.

“Sophomores are taught the ravages of racism in world history class, including the damage caused by social Darwinism and Hitler. U.S. history for juniors addresses the scourge of slavery and its impact on our culture from its inception through the civil rights movement to today,” Keiter wrote, adding that seniors are taught in senior seminars to “recognize and appreciate diversity as they prepare for the world of work and family.”

The school is also holding a Challenge Day event Feb. 22 where 100 freshmen and sophomores will, with older grade-level peers, receive intensive training in appreciation of diversity, truth and respect. 

Students from Summerville also participated in a recent Martin Luther King Day event and delivered speeches on King’s efforts to make the world a better place, Keiter wrote.    

Parents at the meeting Monday — including Blue, of Jamestown, the ex-wife of former San Francisco Giants pitcher Vida Blue — brought up a recent incident in which a group of seniors used a racial slur around Blue’s daughter, who is half black. The mother said she felt the school administration has not followed its policies regarding severe student misconduct.

Keiter addressed those concerns in his statement Thursday.

“Our discipline code indicates that we do not tolerate hate-motivated behavior. If such conduct is confirmed, whether it be through speech, drawings, writing, text messages, tattoos, clothing, or physical conduct, we take action to bring that conduct to an end. We comply with Education Code that requires us to attempt other means of correction before suspension, but if proper conduct is not brought about through education, we will suspend or even expel offenders,” Keiter said. “We are first and foremost an educational institution, and we will try educational means to bring about proper conduct as a starting point in the disciplinary process.”

“We appreciate the constructive criticisms we received at a recent school board meeting. We are arranging a group of parents and community members to provide input as to how we can further improve the climate on our campus so that our students and staff fully appreciate one another as human beings,” Keiter said.

The meeting will be held next week, said Principal Dave Urquhart.

Keiter said he invites any parent or community member to give him input on “how we can improve and refine our climate on campus,” via phone (928-3498) or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Blue said Thursday she was glad to see the board received the information with open arms.

"So many issues have been brought to the administration and not handled properly,” she said.

She said Monday’s meeting will be “a nice positive move.”

“It’s a start,” she said.

Keiter said in his statement that he will take all comments “seriously and will forward these suggestions to our committee.”
   
    Contact Lacey Peterson at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 588-4529.