Poway Schools Chief Says Students, Teachers Being Targeted

POWAY, CA -- Since the presidential election earlier this month, teachers and students within the Poway Unified School District have been, and continue to be "targeted" due to their race, religion and/or beliefs, the district's acting superintendent states.

In a letter sent to parents, guardians and students within the school district this week, acting superintendent Dr. Mel Robertson said that the presidential election has brought out some of the worst in some people.

"It has come to my attention that a few of our staff and students have recently been targeted because of their race, religion, or political beliefs, creating an unsafe learning and working environment. Our students cannot learn when they are afraid or bullied and I know I speak for our full community in saying this cannot continue," he wrote.

"Instead, we must continue to work to create a positive culture where every person is respected and valued: an environment where rich dialogue is encouraged amongst our students and staff, but the discourse does not harm a person’s identity or well-being," the letter continued. "No matter your perspective, it is vital that no election result changes our commitment to ALL of our students. They depend on each one of us to model and maintain an environment where they can flourish."

Robertson has been acting superintendent since July, when then-Superintendent John Collins was fired after an audit showed financial improprieties.

His letter doesn't mention any specific incidents of bullying, but schools across the country, including San Diego County, have reported a rise in bullying by Trump supporters of Muslims, Hispanics and others. Trump has said that there should be a moratorium on Muslims entering the United States and that he plans to build a wall to stem illegal immigration from Mexico.

According to the 2010 United States Census, the city of Poway has a population of 47,811, with the racial makeup being about 77 percent White, nearly 16 percent Hispanic or Latino, 10 percent Asian, and less than two percent African American.

The school district operates 25 elementary schools, six middle schools and six high schools.

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