Parents and staff tell board they see systemic bias; district points to state law as protections
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Summary
Multiple public commenters urged the Franklin Pierce board to investigate alleged racist practices in hiring, discipline and oversight; the superintendent and staff noted Washington state law continues to prohibit discrimination, and the board will request follow-up outside the meeting.
Several community members and staff urged the Franklin Pierce School District board on March 18 to investigate alleged patterns of racial bias in hiring, retention and discipline, and to strengthen accountability for administrators.
Josefa Castellano, introduced by the board as a community member and school leader, told the board she had witnessed systemic failures that prioritize "white comfort" over the well-being of staff and students of color and asked the board to "create standards to which all members of this community are held accountable" and to investigate hiring, retention, oversight and disciplinary practices. "Silence is complicity and the time for silence is over," she said.
CJ Johnson, who identified himself as president of the Franklin Pierce Association and of the Franklin Pierce Athletics and Activity Association, described staff fear of retaliation and said he would assist employees filing grievances or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints. A district custodian spoke about personal experiences of being questioned and said he would submit formal complaints to human resources.
Another public commenter, Sherry Gold, urged the board not to interpret a federal Title IX rollback as removing Washington state protections and said retiring district policies without clear references to state law would send a harmful message to staff. Staff and trustees responded by noting a January 2025 federal court ruling reverted Title IX to its 2020 rule set, but that "Washington state law expressly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression," and that the district is obligated to continue investigating discrimination under state law.
The chair thanked speakers, reiterated that the board does not respond to public comments during the meeting, and said the superintendent or his designee would follow up if additional discussion is needed. The board took no immediate formal action; several speakers said they would submit documentation to HR or pursue grievances and legal filings.