School District to Give Report on Progress Since Alleged Racial Incident

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District staff will give a progress report to the Board of Education on Thursday evening regarding directives issued by board members in the wake of an alleged incident of racial harassment at Santa Monica High School.

The board gave staff directives at the June 30 meeting on improving the racial and ethnic atmosphere at the school. They included a review of the SMMUSD's diversity, tolerance and racial/ethnic sensitivity curriculum; requiring racial and ethnic sensitivity training for district staff and restoration of the Intercultural District Advisory Committee

"During this discussion item, staff will update the board on the district's progress in meeting these directives," the staff report for Thursday's meeting states.

According to a complaint filed with the Santa Monica Police Department, two white members of Samohi's wrestling team in May used a cable to tie a black teammate to the locker while they yelled "slave for sale" and made other racially charged statements. It was also reported that a brown practice mannequin with a noose tied around the neck was found nearby.

Neither SMMUSD nor Samohi staff mentioned the alleged incident to the victims' mother, who found out about it from other parents. Then-SMMUSD Superintendent Tim Cuneo publicly apologized to her about the lack of communication at the June 16 board meeting.

Numerous members of the public spoke about the alleged incident at the June 30 board meeting. Several speakers were outraged, and some people accused district and Samohi staff of trying to cover up the alleged incident. Current and former coaches and athletes on the wrestling team told the board the situation was a prank that went too far.

"Everybody there is a good kid," said Samohi wrestling alumnus Tim Warren about the 2011 squad. "In no way were they trying to harm or offend anyone. Things may have gotten out of hand."

The two boys who allegedly committed the harassment were suspended for three days and were ordered to assist with a freshman seminar on hazing, according to the SMMUSD.

The Santa Monica police announced in June that they were investigating the alleged incident. Also, the department said it had asked the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to investigate the allegation that school administrators "had handled the incident unlawfully."

The Board of Education meeting will take place at the SMMUSD office, located at 1651 16th St. in Santa Monica. It is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.