Black Village advisory group urges stronger response to racial slurs, asks district to simplify bias reporting

Members of the Black Village Family Advisory Committee told the Hillsboro School District Board of Directors on Tuesday that Black students continue to experience racial slurs and that the districtmust improve reporting, supports and accountability.

The committeepresenters described a year of growth for their group, including meetings that drew more than 60 people and at least one meeting with about 100 attendees, but said serious problems remain. "When people call you the n word, what happened? Well, in my school, nothing. They say 'sorry that happened to you' and brush it off," the group relayed as a quote collected from students, saying students and parents find current responses insufficient.

The committee asked the board to consider several concrete steps: create safe spaces for Black students; expand culturally responsive, trauma-informed student services and restorative practices; streamline the bias-incident reporting process; and make funding commitments that would preserve positions now supported by grants.

Francesca, a presenter for the Black Village Family Advisory Committee, told the board the committee was…