Elmbrook is investigating a 'troubling video' depicting a racist act at Brookfield East High School
The Elmbrook School District is investigating a recent video depicting a "racist act" against a Brookfield East High School student.
The video prompted the superintendent of the district to send his own video to students and families of the district in response.
"Yesterday, a troubling video was shared on social media of a racist act against one of our students at Brookfield East. I've seen the video and I'm saddened and disturbed by its content," Elmbrook Superintendent Mark Hansen said in the video.
Hansen said an investigation is underway and "those responsible will be held accountable."
Neither Hansen's video nor the district offered any specifics about what the video depicts, but Hansen strongly condemned its content.
"I'm sharing this news with our district families and staff to clearly state we will not tolerate racism in our school communities. Although this video was recorded off district property, our response to racism extends beyond our school walls because human dignity and respect for every person, every time, all the time is central to our core values," Hansen said.
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Hansen said just hours after the video was posted, students from across the community reached out to school leaders, sharing their disappointment about its content.
"Some even went as far as contacting social media platforms to have the video removed. I am grateful to these students who chose to respond and reflect our community values and beliefs through their actions," Hansen said.
The complaint process for incidents related to discrimination is outlined in an Elmbrook School District practice statement.
The district's Nondiscrimination/Anti-Harassment policy says "the District shall immediately investigate complaints and take appropriate action as necessary to resolve complaints.
"The District shall enforce rules pertaining to the conduct of students to maintain a favorable academic atmosphere wherein each student is treated with courtesy, respect, and dignity."
Dr. Tanya Fredrich, the assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, was contacted about the investigation but didn't respond to a request for an interview before the story was published.
Evan Casey can be reached at evan.casey@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @ecaseymedia.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Elmbrook schools student victim of racist act in publicly shared video
