The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board voted 4-3 June 8th, adding language to school policies on handling “microaggression.”  At the July 13th school board meeting, President Julie Chambers defended the board’s action on that policy.

Here is the policy approved June 8th:

Microaggressions can be defined as everyday, subtle, intentional
or unintentional interactions or behaviors that communicate some
sort of bias toward historically marginalized groups. While
Hamilton Southeastern High School understands those
individuals communicating a microaggression might not intend
to express bias, the school recognizes the responsibility to educate
students on the reality of bias perceptions. Issues regarding
microaggressions may be addressed through restorative
conversations led by school administration, teachers, and/or
guidance counselors rather than punitive measures. Habitual
occurrences could lead to consequences applicable to
inappropriate conduct as defined in Section 28.

(Section 28 refers to a part of the discipline handbook)

“The recent update to our student handbook provides staff the opportunity to hold restorative conversations about how an intentional, or unintentional, interaction, communicates some kind of bias between students, can be effectively addressed,” Chambers said in a statement read at the July 13 session.

According to Board President Chambers, the policy language was requested by students and has the support of the local teachers’ association, the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association.

Chambers says the policy language “does not include punitive punishments associated with these behaviors and any suggestion to the contrary is inaccurate.”

Ms. Chambers went on to say, “While Hamilton Southeastern understands these individuals communicating microaggression may not intend to express bias, the school recognizes the responsibility to educate students on the reality of bias perceptions.”

School officials will have “restorative conversations” with students not abiding by the policy, but habitual offenses could lead to punitive measures, Chambers said.

Superintendent Yvonne Stokes also emphasized that this is not punitive in nature, and she made clear her goal continues to be keeping students in the classroom with the goal of academic achievement.

The statement was an apparent response to a number of comments made on social media and by people announcing their plans to run for the school board in the upcoming election.  Many have made comments critical of the HSE Schools policy on microaggression.

Candidates for seats on the HSE School Board may begin officially filing July 27th, with the end of the filing period at noon August 27th.

Board member Suzanne Thomas said Chambers’ statement was not shared with other board members in advance.  Chambers responded this was her part of the meeting and the statement was on behalf of the school corporation.