Parents tell Plainfield SD 202 board a student was called a racial slur and physically assaulted; they demand action
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Summary
Three public commenters said a second-grade student was repeatedly called a racial slur, then pushed by classmates, and that school staff failed to stop it; they asked the board to enforce anti-bullying policies and provide staff guidance. The board later placed policy 7:180 on 30-day public display.
Dee Dee (Didi) Quinn told the Plainfield SD 202 board on March 25 that a student in the district has been repeatedly called a "colored boy" by another child and that, despite following district reporting steps—informing the teacher, principal and superintendent—the conduct continued and has escalated to harassment and physical aggression.
"Silence is not neutrality. Silence is permission," Quinn said, urging the board to ensure the district follows its policies on bullying, harassment and discriminatory conduct and to provide staff with clearer guidance on intervening.
Debbie Smith, who identified herself as the child’s grandmother, corroborated the account and said the principal had, in her view, called her second-grade grandson a liar when he reported being pushed. "That is very disgraceful," Smith said, adding she had not received an apology.
Parent Tiffany Marshall recounted specific dates: she said on Feb. 9 a classmate told her son, "Why would a white girl listen to a colored boy?" and on March 12 the classmate’s sister allegedly pushed him. Marshall said she was told the offending child would receive only a warning and that the principal, identified in her remarks as Principal Harris, told her son he was lying when he reported being pushed. "Something has to change," she told the board.
Board members did not take an immediate disciplinary action on those public comments during the allotted public-comment period; the meeting proceeded with the published agenda. Later in the meeting the board voted to place policy 7:180, "Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment," on 30-day public display, a step that begins a public-review period for the policy language.
The parents asked the board to (1) ensure the district follows its reported anti-bullying and harassment procedures, (2) require clearer intervention guidance and training for staff, and (3) provide the affected child and family appropriate remedy and communications. The board did not announce a follow-up publicly on the record during the March 25 meeting; parents said they expect further action.
