The Bellevue School Board passed a resolution Tuesday reaffirming the district’s stance on discrimination, bullying and harassment following parental concerns about incidents of hate over the last month.
The resolution points to preexisting district policies. Board Vice President My-Linh Thai had begun crafting the resolution several weeks ago after a Washington state Board of Directors conference with other school districts.
“A lot of it come from conversations with other districts and hearing it from our peers. I felt that we needed to take a stand and make sure the community feels that we are with them,” she said.
While the board was overall in favor of the resolution, there was discussion as to whether passing it was a strong enough action.
“My-Linh shared this with me and I asked ‘Why? Why now? What do you hope to accomplish by this? It’s words, actions are more powerful, why are we doing this?’ I think that as several incidents have come to light in recent days … I don’t think they’re all election-relation. Things like this happen all of the time in our district and don’t make the radar. But, I see a reason to come out and make a strong statement,” Board President Christine Chew said.
Several parents and students spoke before the School Board this and last week, calling for a stronger response to instances of bullying and hate speech.
“I have over 65 students who have sent out emails and texts … regarding the issue of racism that’s happening within the school district and has never been resolved… They feel like it’s hidden and nobody wants to talk about it,” Bellevue resident and YMCA volunteer Adam Dibba told the School Board on Dec. 6.
A handful of incidents have occurred in the district since the presidential election. The morning after the election, a group of Puesta del Sol students aboard bus No. 26 chanted “build the wall.” A Bellevue kindergartner was reportedly told to leave the country by a student, and a Snapchat message involving the N-word sent by a Newport High School student was widely shared.
Newport High School student Jahdai Alcombrack teared up on Dec. 13 while discussing the Snapchat incident and others she had experienced over the last four years in the Bellevue School District.
There has not been an uptick in student bullying or discrimination, according to the district, and teachers and other staff are trained on handling such incidents and receive reminders about how to address them regularly.
Newport Principal Dion Yahoudy had addressed the Snapchat incident, they added.
“At this point in time, the district should no longer stand silent on this very important social issue that impacts everyone in our communities and, most importantly, our children. We feel strongly that to remain silent is to be complicit in intolerance,” Erin Walker said.
