District receives final report on racist doll incident
SALINAS >> Months after a racist doll incident at Salinas High School rattled the community, the Salinas Union High School District announced Monday that it has received the final report from a third-party investigation in the matter.
In August, “disturbing images and videos” of Salinas High School students abusing a Black baby doll named “Shaniqua” began circulating social media. Reportedly altered to fit racial stereotypes, the doll became the popular subject of a now-deactivated Instagram account called “shaniqua.shs,” where Salinas High students were pictured posing with the racist toy. Community backlash soon followed, as well as calls for justice and action.
To dole out appropriate disciplinary action, as well as determine the extent of both student and employee involvement, the Salinas Union High School District launched a third-party investigation. The district announced the completion of its student investigation in early September, with more time needed to address employee culpability.
The investigation as a whole has since been completed, including all disciplinary measures against employees, according to the district’s latest message. Though the nature of discipline handed down to employees cannot be revealed due to it being a personnel matter, the district assured that all of the findings that involved district employees have been submitted to the board of trustees for the final review.
Looking ahead, the district also announced it has begun to develop a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Planning Committee with the goal of creating lasting change, Salinas Union High School District Superintendent Dan Burns said in the message.
The committee will include representatives from different stakeholders in the community, including CSU Monterey Bay and other local organizations.
Through the next nine to 12 months, the committee will help the district develop an action plan to ensure desired changes are met.
Until then, the district implored students and parents alike to continue prioritizing accountability. “While we are engaged in this process, we know that there continues to be a need to address issues within our schools, thus we encourage and thank the community for working with school site administration to get in front of any areas of concern,” Burns said in the announcement. “Again, we are looking forward to the work ahead of us.”