http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20120901/NEWS03/709019937
Friday, August 31, 2012
Report: Springfield school district violated civil rights
The Springfield school district was ordered to pay nearly $3,000 in counseling services after an African-American sixth-grader was threatened by a teacher’s aide who also used a racial epithet.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20120901/NEWS03/709019937
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20120901/NEWS03/709019937
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Your government at work. It took over two years to figure out that the comment was racist. Duh! Hopefully the investigation employed hundreds of gov worker bees to look into this. The fact that the child was endangering himself and another in unauthorized horseplay appears to have gone unnoticed. It is a good way to lose an eye and there are residents of Springfield that can attest to that. That certainly doesn't excuse what was said but it should not have taken more than five minutes and one person with a brain cell to figure this out. Maybe the town can settle with the grieving family by giving them Park St School.
ReplyDeleteReally .....I think the point you are missing is that we have school district that continues to play the "are staff is not adequately or property trained" card. Isn't it Mr. Peroti's and the school administration job to ensure these things do not happen? Just a few months ago we were hearing about the lack of training regarding the seclusion rooms? So may I ask just what in the heck have they been doing for the last two years? The corruption in this school district seems to be deep and never ending.
DeleteYou picked the wrong part of the story to focus on. There was another kid involved in this so called sword fighting. Why was he not mentioned in your statement about eye poking?
DeleteIt was not mentioned because to most of those who have a few brain cells that it obviously takes more than one to have a sword fight and it appears the egregious comment was directed at only one child.
DeleteOnce again you have missed the point. I simply meant that you are attacking only one student when there were two involved in the "sword fighting". Something more intelligent would have been along the lines of:
DeleteTwo students were clearly involved in the sword fighting. Both should have been told that what they were doing could easily have poked an eye out.
But all of this isn't even the point of the article.
I wasn't attacking just one student. I said "It took over two years to figure out that the comment was racist." How is that an attack on the student? I expressed my dismay that it took several years of "investigating" to figure that out. I did point out that there was more at stake here then the disparaging comment because the aide did the right thing in stopping the horseplay. Whether one student was singled out I don't know. Perhaps the other student had already stopped the horseplay and the other child was still bringing the fight? I would rather get a verbal beating than lose an eye. Maybe you think otherwise. It appears the boy's attorney is doing what he can to inflame the masses. Did this aide have a pattern of continued racist disparaging remarks or was this a one time event where he lost control and said something while being upset that I am sure he now regrets? Do the school's employees have an ongoing pattern of racial remarks and bias?
DeleteI'm sure it did not take 2 years for them to figure out it was racist that was probably due to the district stone walling and trying to figure out how to cover their butts. The fact that anyone would use a racial slur is offensive I don't care whether it was the first time or not. The masses should be inflamed the things that have been going on in the schools should be questioned instead of us buying this "everything is peaches & cream" nonsense the Administration is shoveling.
DeleteThe point is that if it a single event then, sad as it is, it does not warrant making a mountain out of a molehill which is what attorneys do. Did the aide have a continuing pattern of such remarks that went unreported? Did the school have a pattern of continuing racial statements that don't get dealt with? Those are the really important facts that are relevant and so far I see no evidence of such abuse.
Delete@Anonymous9/2/12 2:54 PM
DeleteI'm not exactly sure where to start here. From what you've typed out I take it that you find the alleged act to be "sad" but not worth suing over. This act was nothing more than a mole hill according to you.
Say that a person were to tell your child that they would like to shove something up them and turn them in to something referring to their skin color?
Not only is that statement crude and inappropriate as far as shoving an object up a CHILD goes but also factoring in the part about race is even further from appropriate.
As you point out there isn't any PUBLIC history of this type of behavior from the school so why even bother, right?
Oddly enough it was a class project that they were doing with items donated from home depot and was not a yardstick persay. the yardstick was part of the egregious comment NOT what the students were playing with.
ReplyDeleteThat is not what the article says and supposedly not what the report says: "The report found that the aide told the student, who was using a yardstick to sword-fight with another student".
Deletehe will sue the school and the school will prob only have to pay the $500 deductable.just like the town does when they get sued......
ReplyDeleteOf course he will sue...he has an attorney and the streets of Springfield have become lined with lawyer offices while the rest of the town rots. You think there might be a pattern here?
DeleteHe probably already has sued the school and then posts on here as an anonymous to keep things stirred up knowing that the school cannot tell its side of the story publicly without getting charged with another violation for violating the privacy act. My guess is that the substitute is probably long gone, but the after effects of one stupid outburst are still lingering and distracting faculty and staff from their jobs. How many years ago did the incident occur?
ReplyDeleteYou're right. Racist remarks directed at a child are disgusting. The fact that it may be distracting the teachers all this time later is even more disgusting. Just think how much more educated our children could be if the teachers weren't hovered in their lounge worried about any other outrageous acts they might have witnessed or done. Shame on him for wanting justice for his child after all of these things have occurred. He should have kept his mouth shut and let it be pushed under the rug like we want.
DeleteAethelred, WRONG. First it was not a “substitute” but a teacher’s aide, big difference. Second according to the report that aide told a teacher what he had done and said, the teacher “found the comment so outrageous that he didn’t believe it was true”. So what action did he take, he had a conversation with the student but didn’t bring it up directly but as a side question of “there was anything he wanted to tell him” (meaning the teacher) “The boy said nothing” (quote marks are as the Valley News writes). Thus the teacher did nothing such as reporting to any superiors. I repeat, NOTHING! In an age where an employee stubbing their toe is encouraged to fill out an accident report this is remarkable and indefensible.
DeleteThe issue is the aide that made the comments and I’m sure he is long gone. But now the underlining issue remains, why did the teacher keep this information to himself? Certainly the aide realized what he said was wrong I assume was bringing it up to the teacher, hopefully for advice. Or he could have been bragging about his great line and how funny that was to him, I guess both are possible. Still in either case the teacher should have seen red flags and ran (yes run not walk) to administration. So I’m sure there is a distraction but not because of a very stupid and insensitive comment but because of a failure to act.
In addition the district agreed to put into place five points suggested by the Feds. When you read those five point one can only scratch their head and say “uh”, they are all basic things that exist in most businesses in America yet our school does not have these things in place? Wow.
Sadly this is not any fault of the teachers that acted yet they become party to it. Possibly something that could have been avoid with a quick response and a family member / administration sit down. This did not happen because someone knew better by keeping things under their hat. Simply put if the statement was reported and it was unfounded that would have been great and everyone moves on. If it was reported and found to be true, while not for sure but things could have turned out different. We’ll never know that.
Heres one thing I can't seem to figure out, How is it that Chris Rock, Tyler Perry and EVERY other black comic can tell jokes about white people during their entire routine. As soon as Jeff Foxworthy or Dane Cook or any other white person even THINKS about a black joke they are woken up by Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson beating the door down?
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm getting at, is the parents of this kid have no sensitivity.
I'm on the heavy side and when in school I was picked on by kids and teachers alike. My parents taught me that people are people and are going to say things that might offend me. I got over it, and lived my life. I didnt sue everytime someone called me a name.
Well THAT is a typical "white" statement. There are many reasons why your comment is offensive and off track however to try to explain would be fruitless since you should already know the answer.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you being told you were fat is the reason behind your own ignorance and lack of education. Psychologically you have always felt inadaquate because you were put down therefore you never chose to achieve higher education which would have greatly enlightened you and been able to answer your own question.
BUT-speaking as someone who was involved in the investigation I can say the family of the child have great sensitivity, as well as, tolerated a great deal more than what was reported which I am sure will eventually be revealed to the public. I can say I was appalled at the school allowing their staff's children to openly tell a child that they were going to dress them up in a white sheet with a pointy hat...and then ignore a complaint from a family because the child is one of your staff's kids. Or by allowing a teacher to tell a classroom of students that the females in the school look and dress like prostitutes. Or having that same staff member told in a class from a female student that she was being sexually harrassed and the teacher not reporting it which after talking with the federal investigators I was told by them that was a violation of that particular student's rights because the staff member had knowledge which under the law then put the school on notice. . These are some of the examples that I personally know of. Not because the family said so but because the recordings the family had revealed quite alot.
So the biggr question at hand is WHY in this day and age are educational professionals allowed by their school board to not be up to date and in compliance with State and Federal Laws which are not new. Would we be willing to see a doctor who was not practicing up to state and federal standards? WHY is it ok. These professionals and administration already know what is required..both in this and in past complaints such as the abuse at Elm Hill yet WE THE TAXPAYER still allow this to continue in our schools.
So you ASSume that because I am fat I am uneducated and ignorant? Hmm weird, I'll ask my wife, who is hispanic if I am ignorant. I will look at my reflection from the frame of my degree from UCONN if I'm uneducated. (I am from Vermont born and raised before you start calling me a flatlander) (I might just sue)
DeleteWhy do you jump to conclusions? I was simply stating that Chris Rock can say anything he wants about white people and nobody is offended. If Jeff Foxworthy said a joke about black people Al Sharpton would be up in arms.
Do I feel bad for the kid? Yes I do. Do I think the parents went overboard by suing the school? Yes I do again.
The teacher or aid should have been fired, thats it. There are a lot of things wrong with the school system, we ALL know that. Suing the system won't fix anything.
Did the kid lose anything of value when being called names? I understand suing after you have been in a car accident and you can't work for a few months however, being called a name? Come on!
Anonymous9/2/12 7:10 PM I am curious as to what role you played in the investigation. You claimed "speaking as someone who was involved in the investigation". Are you or were you an employee of the Springfield School System or were you an outsider doing the investigation?
DeleteThe point most people are missing is that ANY comment about someone's race, color, religion, height, weight, etc is both hurtful and demeaning. Sure there are many comedians that use this type of humor, they also drop the F bomb every other word does that mean it is appropriate? This about having tolerance for people the may be different than ourselves. I also find that when someone says "I really did not mean that I said in either in anger or out of frustration" that is exactly what they were thinking, they did not have time to sensor it. My guess is that this is not the first time that aide made an inappropriate comment and the teacher it was repeated to should have known to report it. Given zero tolerance policies. Think about it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Irish Lass and Harry Byrd...Voices of reason in this town.
DeleteShocking. In 1992, at a state university (not VT) we had mandatory classes concerning inappropriate communications. No racial, sexual or gender jokes/comments. No back massages. No innuendos. We were left with doing our jobs in a professional manner. We had outside trainers. There was a reporting agent. It didn't take long for people to change their behaviors, and this was south of the Mason-Dixon.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet the world still goes on making "racial, sexual or gender jokes/comments". Perhaps not as blatantly but it still goes on. Something to do with human nature. The racial comment made by the aide I have heard at least 20-30 times since 1992. Protecting against lawsuits does not mean that this behavior has stopped, it has just gotten a little more shielded.
DeleteRather telling comments. Appears far more concern for a politically correct classroom, then an education that prepares a child to succeed. Should be 10X this much outcry for miserable NECAP scores.
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonder how anyone ever escaped the emotional scars of childhood that's now over 50. JHFC, part of growing up is learning to cope with adversity, including insults. I don't give a rat's ass if it's racial, ethnicity, sexual, weight, height, hair color, complexion, handicap, religion, etc, etc. Just demand an apology and move on. Recognize not everyone has to be your friend or even be kind to you.
You single mothers are raising a generation of panty wearing sissies that are a reflection of your own dysfunctional lives. Pains me to see so many local youth from broken homes that don't have the slightest inkling of what it means to behave like a man. From dressing like a wigger, fathering bastard children, to even supporting themselves.
The only thing this incident proves out is to avoid any contact with this family unless you have a lawyer on retainer.
@Anon 9/3/12 4:15 pm: Let it be heard the perpetrator and/or his "klan" has spoken.
DeleteSounds like the family were quite the opposite of what above posted and very smart. Like other incidents across the country it sounds as if the family armed themselves as best they could to avoid a he said she said situation. Good for them. I see a couple posts which explain exactly why this situation occurred just from reading a few of the responses. But I overwhelmingly think most feel very ashamed and embarrassed that this happened in what used to be a nice little town and most residents don't hold the same sentiment.
Although the remark made by whatever the person was an aide or a substitute was innappropriate, I remain concerned that the teachers have to focus on being politically correct and constantly alert to turn in any person on the staff who isn't poltically correct, rather than focusing on teaching. I just wonder how much time, energy and anxiety was consumed by staff on this investigation rather than on preparing for class and working with the kids. Am wondering whether the parents were parents that rarely complained about anything, or were parents that were constantly complaining about everything, whether the child was one who displayed model behavior or whether the child was one that drove teachers and aides to total frustration and distraction. Those things we will never know because the school has to take the criticism, but cannot defend itself. I am not defending what the staff member did, just suspect there is a lot more to the story than we are being told.
DeleteAethelred-THAT IS THEIR JOB TO BE AWARE as well as teach. If the teachers don't like it then I suggest they find another profession that doesn't require them to be MANDATORY REPORTERS. What the hell are you clttering on about them being focused on what is correct. That is their damn job to not only teach BUT to also ensure the safety of children. Are you kidding me with this lame excuse as to why it was ok and how it is affecting the teachers. GET REAL. Welcoome to the real world where ALL professionals are required to report abuse r abusive situations. What is up with your constant denial that the staff turned their head to an abusive situation and CHOSE to NOT follow the law on what their own requirements under their CHOSEN profession.
DeleteSo far as whether the parents were cronic complainers or the child was a problem..you are reaching. Those issues don't matter in a situation like this andeven if at worst you factored those in it DOES NOT obviate a professional from acting in a professional manner and under the law.
Mandatory Reporters: Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers, TEACHERS. It really should be everyone.
DeleteVery clearly "Anonymous," you must be guilty as charged with the ignorance factor. Are you seriously asking what that child may have lost through that experience?! Have you lost sight of the fact that a young child was threatened with physical violence by an adult in a superior position while school staff tried to cover it up? Since when is this EVER okay? Using one's power to intimate, threaten or humiliate a child is just plain wrong & an abuse of power. If anyone, such as yourself, were bright enough to look at the big picture instead of finding fault with the parent for advocating for his child, you'd realize how prevalent this type of abuse & corruption is within the school district. Why is the aide's identity being kept confidential? What about the scumbag teacher who learned of the incident (from the aide) and failed to report? Where is the accountability? Why the confidentiality for either of them? I have a sneaking suspicion that NEITHER of these individuals have squeaky-clean character if we were able to candidly ask students The school allows them to hide behind their community/familial/political connections and behave this way. They're cowards. As to the family, I don't see anything saying they sued. ??? They filed a complaint & it resulted in findings against the school. Guess your UConn degree didn't cover that....By the way, retire the Jeff Foxworthy vs. Chris Rock defense- it's waaaaaay old. Bottom line? Both tell jokes to audiences of willing ADULTS--- not target children in what should be a safe learning environment. Let's be responsible adults & hold our schools accountable, not continue to find ways to justify or overlook their behavior. Look around Springfield. Can we really afford to allow our children to pattern themselves after the maggots within the school system that are supposed to serve as "positive role models?" I'm embarrassed for you Anonymous. Shame on you!
ReplyDeleteI doubt you will see anything about whether the family sued or not, in fact you won't see anything about the family at all. What you will see is probably the family representative or member posting things as an anonymous on this blog, and the school system not being able to defend itself due to regulations.
DeleteAethelred- I think you are missing the point. WHAT IS THERE THAT THE SCHOOL NEEDS TO DEFEND? They had the oppourtunity to defend themself and they were found by the FEDERAL DEPT OF ED. to not be in compliance and so forth.
DeleteYou are allowing the same old habit with the school system of allowing them to feed a line of bullhocky excuses to the public. They had their chance and there is no defending...did you or did you not do what was in he best interest of a minor child in your care? Obviously they did not. Did your staff upon notice report anything..no they did not. Did your administrator file the appropriate response with DCF in a timely manner as required by law?
These are the facets that you seem to want to sweep away and I repeat they were found to not be in compliance with the laws they are REQUIRED to follow and adhere to, by Federal Investigators. So why you seem to think they need to "defend" theselves is beyond me. Even while having the first finding against ANY school in Vermont ever..you seem to think they need to defend. What they need to do is take a lesson from Penn State and own up to the acts which occurred instead of the usual deny and defend path they consistantly choose to follow and as a resident you are as guilty as they are.
They are not able to defend against the statements being made in this blog. It is clear that probably at least one of the Anonymous on this blog is associated with the parents of the child since the person knew of the outcoming article before it was published, which suggests that the article was probably planted by the parents or parent of the child.
DeleteAnonymous 12:40 PM, great post! Right on the money. Reading Aethelred's post is he saying maybe someone at the school should be blaming the student? So it was the student that caused this by being of a certain race and then acting like, well, a sixth grader? And of course the family must be among those that were always causing problems themselves, thus they deserve no protection of their rights.
DeleteKeep in mind this is at the school (Riverside) where we hear nothing but praise about the Principal from the Board and Superintendent. Yet the aide that made the comment and appears to have had a questionable history resigned on his own sometime well after this and among other incidents. Worst yet the school system decided (a better word here would be assumed) he resigned to resolve the issue and never looked to see if there were a history of complaints. Looks to me Aethelred is not alone on thinking things should have been just swept under the rug.
He did not resign on his own
DeleteBehold the rally cry of the misfits,
ReplyDelete"THAT'S IGNORANT"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHqgHFcmAOc
Hmm... hardly seems fair that taxpayers have to pay $3000 for what one individual said in the school system. Would rather see that person made accountable instead of the whole town. I hope this individual isn't still working in the system, or the town may go bankrupt... it hurts everyone.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous @ 5:12
ReplyDeleteHow do you know he did not resign on his own? I've heard through the grapevine (okay, town gossip)that the aide voluntarily resigned, and with the exception of one additional school staff member who also left, the rest of the staff/administration that tried to keep the incident hush-hush are still currently employed in the district- including the teacher that did not report the incident. Just curious how you found your information? Who knows, we could both be off-base in terms of taking rumor as gospel truth. It would seem beneficial to the school if they had fired him and the others involved in the cover up. At least they would have appeared to be more empathetic with the utter lack of appropriateness and professionalism demonstrated by their staff. Start at the very top, where it began, and work their way down through the ranks to weed out the trash that's there. Unfortunately, the school's failure to correctly respond to the incident only proves what we already know: the school district is an employment dumping-ground for the rejects that can't cut it anywhere else. So.....how does this impact our kids? What a mess they've created when all they had to do, simply, was be professional and ethical when this situation happened. Sad to see such a large collection of such little people. I'm not impressed, just embarrassed for them.