District stresses ‘zero tolerance’ for racist incidents, outlines communication and policy reviews

Parents asked how the district communicates about racially motivated behavior and what it is doing on Title IX and technology policy. Superintendent Bill McKersie said the district applies a zero-tolerance standard for racist language and treats harmful verbal behavior as a code-of-conduct violation, subject to discipline with restorative supports.

McKersie described a concentric-notification approach: concerns should first be raised with a teacher, then the principal, and finally to district administration if unresolved. He confirmed that a building-wide letter went home from Hillside after multiple students reported a fourth-grade classroom game in which the n-word was used; the administration said the letter was reviewed by central office staff and sent to support families and restorative work in classrooms.

On federal Title IX revisions, Maureen Caraballo said the district is auditing facilities and working with the facilities team on summer projects to ensure locker rooms and private spaces comply with forthcoming regulations. Superintendent McKersie also described a newly formed technology committee — including parents, students, teachers and administrators — that has begun prioritizing family concerns about screen time and social media and will report to the board in June.

Administrators encouraged families who feel incidents have not been adequately addressed to contact the superintendent or central office and said district staff will continue to refine communication protocols and practices to balance transparency with protecting students’ privacy.

Next steps: the district will continue restorative and disciplinary follow-up for incidents, implement any necessary facility adjustments for Title IX compliance over the summer, and report initial work products from the technology committee to the board in June.