Global Courant 2023-05-17 05:13:51
A Missouri high school sophomore was suspended three days after she filmed her teacher making racial slurs in class last week, prompting the teen’s lawyer and mother to ask the district to apologize and lift her suspension from clear her criminal record.
The incident occurred May 9 in a geometry class at Glendale High School in Springfield, when the student’s teacher used the slur more than once and the student then decided to pick up her cell phone and answer it, according to the attorney for the student. the teenager, Natalie Hull.
The student, Mary Walton, filmed the teacher, who has not been publicly identified by the school district, using the n-word twice in a video that lasts about a minute.
In part of that video, another student objects to the teacher’s use of the word, and he replies, “I don’t call anyone an n—-r. I can say the word.”
Glendale High School in Springfield, Mo.Google Maps
According to Springfield Public Schools, the teacher is no longer employed by the school system. The student was suspended, Hull said, under a policy that prohibits students from filming faculty unless they get prior permission.
“It’s absolutely impressive that the 15-year-old girl knew something was going on and stood up to it and said, I’m going to document this. I will stand up for what is right no matter what. And I’m going to make sure this is brought to light,” Hull said in an interview on Tuesday.
She added: “Mary attempted to provide indisputable documentation of the monumental mistake she witnessed in class. Mary doesn’t understand why she was punished for doing the right thing.”
Hull said the teen is also concerned about possible backlash she could face if she returns to class after the suspension.
“She’s worried about how she’ll be treated. And she worries about how this will affect her progress in her educational endeavors.
Springfield Public Schools spokesman Stephen Hall said in a statement that the teacher is no longer employed by the school system. Hall also defended the punishment for students under similar circumstances.
“There has been a lot of speculation about student discipline in connection with a video recording of the unacceptable incident in the classroom,” Hall said. “Student discipline is confidential, under federal law, and Springfield Public Schools cannot disclose specifics regarding actions taken.”
“However, the student handbook is clear about the consequences of improper use of electronic devices,” the statement continues. “Any consequences applied by scope and order should also consider whether minors are identifiable in the recording and what hardships, if any, are endured by other students as a result of a breach of privacy with the dissemination of the video in question.”
Hall said Springfield Public Schools is behind the handling of the incident at Glendale High School.
“We want our schools to be safe and welcoming learning environments. If students have concerns, they should follow the appropriate steps to raise them.”
a message on May 9 from Glendale High School Principal Josh Groves to the high school community noted that the teacher’s comments on video were “inappropriate, inexcusable, and do not meet professional standards for Springfield Public Schools employees.”
According to the district policy in the student handbook titled “Inappropriate Use of Electronic Devices”, students are prohibited from recording teachers or students without prior permission. Penalties for high school first offenses range from a meeting between parents and teachers, detention, and a suspension of up to three days.
Walton’s mother, Kate Welborn, 44, said on Tuesday her daughter’s decision to record was morally correct.
“What every parent wants is to know that they raised a child with a good moral compass,” Welborn said. “My daughter showed that and I’m incredibly proud of her, as is her father and her extended family.”
Hull likened Walton’s actions to a whistleblower and said the district policy needs to be reevaluated because it is too restrictive.
“When she picked up the camera and started recording, … it was a news event. She was recording it in case it needed to be shared.”
The school district, citing student confidentiality, declined to comment on Tuesday about whether it will reevaluate its policy, scrap the student’s suspension or apologize to her.
