Noose found in Kansas City area school. District says it will get tougher on racism
A Platte County High School employee found a noose, made out of white shoestrings, hanging in a boys bathroom last week.
Last month, a three-page Google document — a hate-filled rant that repeatedly used the N-word — was shared among more than 200 students and staff in the Platte County school district, just north of Kansas City.
And last year, nooses made out of paper were discovered stuck to the walls of the high school.
Now, district leaders say they will push for tougher discipline against students responsible for racism and acts of hate.
“Our babies are hurting,” said Nina Matthews, the mother of a 15-year-old African American girl at the high school. Last month she took to Facebook calling on the district to take action against whoever was responsible for the Google doc.
“It is time that you put an end to the racism, bigotry, prejudice and hate that you allow in the halls and classrooms of your school,” Matthews wrote. “This is a hate speech, this is an attack on every African American in your community, this is a violation of the right to a safe school environment. … I want answers. I want results.”
School leaders are investigating the latest noose incident. They viewed video surveillance footage taken from hallway cameras to determine who entered the bathroom before the noose was discovered. Several students already have been interviewed.
In a note to parents, school Superintendent Michael Reik said the incident “causes us to again emphasize that our District does not tolerate acts of racism, hate speech, or inappropriate, disruptive behavior. We will follow our Board of Education policies to hold students accountable for their actions.”
Students found responsible could face discipline that ranges from a parent/student/principal conference to expulsion from school.
Reik said this week that in light of the three incidents, a committee charged with equity, diversity and inclusion for the district will recommend that the school board adopt tougher penalties for students who commit racist acts at school. Currently, he said, acts of racism are included in policies that broadly address discrimination, but the district could dole out a more severe punishment for racism.
In the meantime, the school principal met with all students “and reiterated that acts of racism and hate are not tolerated. There is zero tolerance,” said Laura Hulett, a district spokeswoman. “We are continuing toward making Platte County a safe and caring environment for all our students.”
After the Google doc incident, Reik met with students of color to hear what they are experiencing with classmates, teachers and staff.
“We needed to be quiet, and to listen to what our students had to say,” Reik said. “The number one thing I heard from them is they want to make sure every staff member ensures that every micro-aggression is addressed.”
He said students asked that staff and teachers be trained to respond when offensive and insensitive language is used.
“We do staff training every year but we need to do more,” Reik said.
Reik said he does not expect long-term changes after just one two-hour conversation with students.
“Some of these things are cultural mind shifts that need to happen over time,” Reik said. “This will be important work and will most effectively be done through sustained collaboration with our students and parents.” He called for parents and students to become involved “to ensure our actions have the intended positive impact.”
In addition, Reik said he has been talking with superintendents from surrounding districts about steps they have taken.
Last school year, Lee’s Summit school district struggled to hire a firm to lead equity training for staff and teachers. The school board and some faculty have now undergone training, with more to come.
North Kansas City school district is in its second year of intense equity training that includes discussions of white privilege, racist micro-aggressions and the disproportionate discipline of male students of color.
Reik said he will recommend to school board members that Platte also hire an outside firm to help navigate a cultural shift.
