VUSD considering legal basis for discipline over racist photo
The Vacaville Unified School District is consulting with its legal counsel to see if there is any basis for discipline against an alleged student’s appearance in a racist photo that was circulated on social media, Superintendent Jane Shamieh announced in a letter to the community Tuesday.
The letter is the latest in an ongoing investigation into a photo that appeared to originate on Snapchat, depicting an individual wearing a white fabric item resembling a Ku Klux Klan robe and standing at a burning fire pit. The photo was accompanied by the caption “Clan (sic) meeting,” and the person in question was purported to be a Vacaville High School student.
The photo garnered the attention of Vaca High administrators sometime before Dec. 23 and a letter was sent out to the community condemning the photo and announcing that an investigation was already underway, which included contacting the families of students that may have been involved.
Shamieh wrote that the image was posted during winter break and created off- campus, and it did not reference any schools or students in the district. She noted that the district was working to determine the basis for actions to address the issue and that if VUSD was provided any legal basis for discipline, it would be prevented by law from disclosing any disciplinary or corrective actions regarding students.
Elaine Kong, VUSD’s public information officer, told The Reporter that the district began reviewing its current board policies as well as California Education Code practices.
“Student disciplinar y matters are confidential and are tightly regulated by the Education Code,” she wrote in an email. “These laws and policies very clearly tell us when we must, when we may, and when we may not impose disciplinary action — particularly in the form of expulsions or suspensions — against any of our students.”
Back in June, Vaca High and district officials were made aware of numerous short videos being circulated featuring students saying the n-word. Officials condemned the videos and emphasized that severe action had been taken against those students. In the wake of the videos, VUSD announced the formation of an Equity Task Force aimed at bringing communities together to build true representation and encourage students to be anti-racist.
“We cannot and must not lose sight of our mission t o promot e a nd achieve equity and inclusive excellence,” KOng wrote. “We must continue to create safe spaces to dialogue and discuss these complex issues.”
Shamieh reiterated in her letter that the photo and other incidents “do not reflect our core values” and encouraged parents to take the opportunity to speak with their children about proper social media use while posting a link from Common Sense Media on the subject.
“This incident highlights the urgent need for continued conversation and awareness of issues related to racism and equity,” she wrote. “As educators, we remain committed to addressing these types of issues.”