Student representative tells Orting board that slurs and unmet sensory needs continue in schools

A student representative told the Orting School District board that derogatory language and discriminatory behavior remain issues in bathrooms and hallways and that school responses are often minimal.

‘‘It’s become like a sort of normalization where it’s like you can’t really get every single student in trouble because of how much it happens,’’ the student said, describing slurs and derogatory writings on stall doors and in school spaces. The student added that behavior becomes less overt in high school but still ‘‘affects a lot of students’’ and often does not receive sufficient disciplinary follow-up.

The representative also raised an accessibility concern: a student with autism reported difficulty when paper towels are unavailable after handwashing. ‘‘When she doesn't have anything to dry her hands with, it really... it’s hard for her,’’ the student said, urging attention to small but important accommodations.

Why it matters: The report identifies both climate issues that affect student safety and dignity and practical accommodation gaps that can disproportionately affect students with sensory needs.

Board members thanked the student for bringing those observations forward and affirmed that hearing student voice is a board priority. Directors encouraged the representative to continue reporting specifics and asked staff to ensure disciplinary and accommodation protocols are applied and communicated.

Ending: The board noted the importance of follow-up and promised to review the concerns with building principals and relevant staff; the student representative said students will continue to bring issues to the board’s attention.