MJUSD addresses use of racial slur at MHS
May 10—Marysville Joint Unified School District released a statement on Friday regarding a substitute teacher's use of a racial slur at Marysville High School after it was reportedly written on a blackboard by students.
According to district officials, after class ended on Thursday, a racial slur was written on the board by at least one unknown student. On Friday morning, the unnamed substitute teacher led a discussion surrounding the slur and reportedly used the word to demonstrate that it is unacceptable. However, the discussion escalated as students confronted the situation, the district said.
"We have received responses from students in the class, and there is a clear indication that the substitute teacher was using slurs in an effort to discuss the unacceptability of racism in the world today. For context, the substitute, who was married to an African-American woman for 16 years, has no history of racism," the district said. "We take these allegations seriously and have taken immediate action. We urge you to talk to your children about the use of racial slurs, regardless of the intention."
All students present during the class were interviewed by district staff, and one student may have filmed the exchange, officials said. District officials were unable to comment on any potential disciplinary action for the teacher.
"Racism, bullying, and any form of mean-spirited behavior are unacceptable in our school community, and MJUSD takes these situations very seriously; whether it occurs between students, staff, or parents. In the recent incident involving a substitute teacher, what began as a lesson to address intolerance unfortunately escalated without resolving the underlying issue. The school administration has since addressed this matter," Marysville Joint Unified Superintendent Fal Asrani said.
