KSD Addresses Racism and Discrimination in Schools

Kearney School District Interim Superintendent Todd White penned a LETTER to families and the community to address claims of racism and discrimination in schools. The letter was released after a lawsuit was filed against the school district that alleged some 2019 incidents at Kearney High School.

The job of a community is to prepare its students to become productive members of society - Kearney School District Interim Superintendent Todd White

The lawsuit alleges that administrators are the subject of a federal civil rights investigation because they failed to protect a black teen from racial slurs and threats. According to the lawsuit, the black student was the target of bullying from other students who allegedly used racial slurs and threats against his life.

In his LETTER Dr. White said students should be able to learn without facing discrimination or bullying, and it takes a community effort to prepare students to be responsible adults.

“I was reminded again this week, from multiple incidents, that we must continue to ensure every child can learn in an environment free from racism, sexism, bullying, and any other form of harassment or discrimination,” he stated. “This work is urgent and important. The job of a community is to prepare its students to become productive members of society who are capable of reaching success in numerous ways. Anything that gets in our way of achieving this desired outcome is simply unacceptable.”

Dr. White stated that he believes that all public schools have to deal with racism and that Kearney is no different. He also listed a number of initiatives that the school district has already implemented to eradicate the issue.

Those policies and actions include: participating in a program called School SPIRIT, which brought together a representative group of students who spent time discussing school issues that included race, facilitating a “Student-Only Conversation About Race and Equity” using a local facilitator, Jamie Grayson, founder of People of All Colors Succeed (POAC), launching the “BULLDOGS Respect” campaign created by the DEI Committee, coordinating efforts with the city of Kearney and a network of local churches, participating in POAC’s anti-bullying / leadership program, and others.

Dr. White concluded his letter by encouraging the Kearney community to continue fighting against discrimination and bullying.

“I encourage you to continue this most important work,” he said. “Collectively, you make KSD a place where racism and every other form of harassment, discrimination and hate are not tolerated.”

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story