Teacher: Race issues need to be addressed Board vows swift action against any pupils guilty of harassment BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer SAYREVILLE - Two school teachers have voiced concerns about what they described as racial bias incidents involving their own children and other students. SusanWilson, a substitute teacher in the borough's school district for the past five years, addressed the Board of Education last week on the issue, and later told Greater Media Newspapers that a female basketball player on the high school team directed a racial epithet towards her daughter and another African American teammate. She said this occurred in the locker room at Sayreville War Memorial High School this season, when no one else was present. "I felt that it needed to be dealt with," Wilson said. The team's coach reprimanded the player who allegedly made the racial slur, Wilson said, but she wanted to see the student face more significant disciplinary action than a verbal admonishment. She suggested a suspension from a quarter of the next game. Wilson said she fears that the problem goes beyond the instances that she described. "That's when I noticed this may be a problem,"Wilson said. Board of Education President Michael Macagnone toldGreaterMediaNewspapers that the incident involving Wilson's daughter was not reported to the board prior to Wilson's appearance at the board's Feb. 19 meeting. He said that students or parents who want to report an incident should inform school administrators, such as the principal or superintendent, to ensure that the issue is addressed. "We cannot address something we don't know about," Macagnone said. "I understand the sensitivity of a childwhomight be weary and has some trepidation bringing it to the administration, but any student who is guilty of harassment in the school district will be dealt with swiftly and severely." Wilson said she recently discussed the matter with high school Principal James Brown, and she trusts that he takes the issue seriously. However, she believes that some staff members may be reluctant to take official actionwhen students or parents report incidents of racial bias. "They should have done something a little bit more substantial to satisfy all parties," Wilson said. When offensive language is not addressedwithmeaningful disciplinary action, it can result in subsequent confrontations that could have been avoided,Wilson said. If the school district does not respond, then students who retaliate often end up disciplined, while the student who instigated the conflict is not, she said. "Nobody is concerned that they are provoked," Wilson said. "Where is the other zero tolerance for racial slurs? It has to balance. I was very pleased with the principal and the vice principal [at the high school]. They were respectful tome and they agree that it was serious and it needed to be addressed." Arleth teacher Gwen Jackson, who also addressed the school board last week, said that several years ago her son struck another middle school student who was regularly directing racial slurs at him. She said the student, who was not seriously hurt, was not punished initially for his remarks, but her son was suspended from school. "[My son] was disciplined and he was going to be the only child disciplined until I intervened," Jackson said. "He tried to tell them what happened, but they would not hear it." Jackson said the school suspended the other student as well after she voiced her concerns. She added that students should be taught not to use inappropriate language. "People know there is a definite consequence if you come to school with a weapon, or if you hit, or fight, butwhat about the consequence of using the 'N' word?," Jackson asked. "If a course of action is in place, it needs to be enforced and not pushed under the carpet. It is not being taken as seriously as it should be. Suppose that every child being called this is striking back, what is going to happen?" "Saying you're sorry is a slap on the wrist," Jackson added. "Words have power." Macagnone said all incidents that are reported to the administration are thoroughly investigated. "Then,whoever perpetrated themisdeed will be punished," he said. "Every child deserves and has a right to an education in the school district, that is free of harassment, discrimination, bullying or intimidation,"Macagnone added. He said teachers are trained to take care of such incidents immediately. "If the victim is satisfied with that, it doesn't need to go anywhere," Macagnone said. "If it is not addressed properly, they have a right to bring it to the administrator." "I have no doubt in my mind that Mr. Brownwill address these things quickly and effectively," he added. The board president noted that such incidents occur in other districts as well. He said race-based conflicts have occurred in the Sayreville schools, but that it is not a frequent problem. "I say with a pretty good sense of certainty that this is not a pervasive problem," Macagnone said. "I don't think thatwe have this big problemin the Sayreville school district - not more than anyone else, but we want it to be known that we are dealing with it swiftly and severely." Wilson said that, while children are exposed to vulgar language inmusic and other forms of entertainment, they should know that racial slurs are offensive. "Themedia has it out there in the songs, but they need to understand that it offends some, so you have to be careful," she said. l