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Parent and student tell Vermilion board about racial slurs; board says it will address incidents and notes limits on oversight of LifeWise program
Summary
At the Aug. 11 Vermilion Local Schools Board meeting a parent and student reported repeated racial slurs and urged transparency about LifeWise background checks; the superintendent said staff will address incidents on school time but that outside providers are responsible during their sessions.
Catherine Schwanz, a Vermilion resident, told the Vermilion Local Schools Board on Aug. 11 that her child and another student were repeatedly subjected to racial slurs, including the "n word," and that earlier efforts to resolve the issue resulted in one family removing their children from the school.
"They were using the n word, towards her kids," Schwanz said, and asked the board and the new principal to prioritize a culture in which such language is not tolerated. Her daughter, Veronica Gephardt, told the board she had "experienced and overheard multiple things," saying the slur was used "very often."
The concerns were raised during public participation; Schwanz also questioned the district's involvement with LifeWise (an outside moral-character program) and requested clearer information about which background checks the program uses and whether the district can require specific screening standards.
Superintendent Dr. Veil responded that the district will handle incidents that occur while students are in school and encouraged students to report offenses to administrators so staff can follow up. He and other board members said legal advice cautions against the district assuming liability for actions that occur under programs provided by outside organizations. "If it's happening when they're with the LifeWise people, they really have the responsibility to deal with these problems themselves," Dr. Veil said.
Board member Chris praised Veronica for speaking up and encouraged students to notify administrators when incidents occur. The board and superintendent repeatedly urged students and families to report incidents so school staff can investigate and respond.
The exchange left unresolved the wider question of whether the board will pursue any formal policy changes or certification requirements for outside providers; board members emphasized they would address incidents that occur on school property during school hours but signaled limits on the district's authority over third-party programming.
The board moved on with its agenda and later adjourned to executive session at 6:24 p.m.
