The U.S. Department of Education says the Ottumwa Community School District violated a civil rights law.The report says a Black student was bullied over the course of two school years and states students called the Black student the N-word and made other racially derogatory comments.The Office of Civil Rights says the school district was aware of the situation but didn’t do enough to fix the “racially hostile environment.””They need to take action right away,” said Greg Johnston in downtown Ottumwa on Tuesday. “And get some education to the kids so they understand it’s not proper to bully people no matter what the color of their skin is.”Ottumwa schools will have to reimburse the student’s parent for therapeutic services, review and revise its policies on racial harassment and provide training to staff members, among other steps.”When my kids were in school they did experience bullying,” said Ottumwa Resident Sherrie Jones. “I feel that tried to work it out, but can they improve? Yes.””Us as future educators, how would we support our school and also support our students at the same time?” said Destiny Davidson, a student at Indian Hills Community College studying education.The school district sent KCCI a statement saying, in part: “The work ahead aligns with our current school board goal of creating a positive working and learning environment for all stakeholders through communication, transparency, and trust.”
The U.S. Department of Education says the Ottumwa Community School District violated a civil rights law.
The report says a Black student was bullied over the course of two school years and states students called the Black student the N-word and made other racially derogatory comments.
The Office of Civil Rights says the school district was aware of the situation but didn’t do enough to fix the “racially hostile environment.”
“They need to take action right away,” said Greg Johnston in downtown Ottumwa on Tuesday. “And get some education to the kids so they understand it’s not proper to bully people no matter what the color of their skin is.”
Ottumwa schools will have to reimburse the student’s parent for therapeutic services, review and revise its policies on racial harassment and provide training to staff members, among other steps.
“When my kids were in school they did experience bullying,” said Ottumwa Resident Sherrie Jones. “I feel that [the school district] tried to work it out, but can they improve? Yes.”
“Us as future educators, how would we support our school and also support our students at the same time?” said Destiny Davidson, a student at Indian Hills Community College studying education.
The school district sent KCCI a statement saying, in part: “The work ahead aligns with our current school board goal of creating a positive working and learning environment for all stakeholders through communication, transparency, and trust.”