At the District 207 Board of Education meeting in August, public speakers urged the board to approve an intra‑district transfer for a student who says she has been the target of repeated racial harassment at Maine South High School.

Speakers included the student, her mother, a minister from Parkridge Community Church and representatives of the local advocacy group Action Ridge. They asked the board to allow the student to transfer to Maine East High School so she can attend a school where she would feel safe.

“Jocelyn Wynne has experienced racial discrimination at Maine South High School and that, I believe, has been negative enough that continuing to matriculate there is no longer tenable,” said Carol Hill, senior minister of Parkridge Community Church, during public comment. “While I wasn't personally present for any of these instances, I believe her when she says that they've happened.”

The student, who identified herself as Jocelyn and said she is entering her junior year, described incidents she attributed to race‑based harassment: “I've been called a monkey in the hallway by a student. I've been called racial slurs by girls from Maine South. I heard the n word from a boy in my class and hallways. I've been excluded from PE activities in my freshman year.” She said the district denied her intra‑district transfer and that being told the school would instead implement a safety plan left her feeling “not seen or heard.”

“Being told those words felt like I was not seen or heard. It was just another day another day and it wasn't serious and I felt horrible these last few months from rejection,” Jocelyn said. The student said the experience caused her mental‑health decline and nights spent crying.

Her mother, Felicia Winn, recounted family history of racially motivated violence and told the board the family moved to the district for a better life. She said moving to a school “less than 5 minutes away with diverse children” would be positive for her daughter.

A letter read by Valerie Halston on behalf of Action Ridge asked the board to support the intra‑district transfer so the student “can participate in a more equitable and inclusive learning environment.” The letter cited the district’s equity statement and said Action Ridge aligns with that commitment. The reading identified Nan Carson (chair) and Liz Swanson (vice chair) as signatories on behalf of Action Ridge.

Board procedure: Public comment is the forum for statements to the board; the transcript shows speakers presenting testimony and asking for action. The transcript does not record a board vote or decision on the transfer request during the meeting.

What the speakers asked: Approve an intra‑district transfer to Maine East High School for the student, and continue district work to address discrimination and harassment so other students do not have to seek transfers.

What the district said in the meeting: The public comment period was followed by regular agenda items; district staff did not state an immediate determination on the transfer in the recorded portions of the meeting.

Next steps: The transcript does not record a board response, motion or vote on the transfer request at this meeting. The student family and community advocates said they will continue to press the district for a resolution and offered to partner on efforts to make schools safer for all students.