BRENHAM ISD ADDRESSES ACCUSATIONS OF MISCONDUCT
Brenham ISD has confirmed it investigated social media accusations made by a local lawyer alleging misconduct.
Attorney Alisa Harris accuses several staff members of making racially inappropriate comments directed at students.
When asked for response, Brenham ISD said in a statement this (Friday) morning that it is “fully aware of the allegations that have surfaced on social media.” The school district said it would not comment on specific details, but stated that the allegations made earlier in the year have been “fully investigated.”
The statement also reads that all reports are taken seriously, and that the district performs a “thorough and comprehensive investigation” whenever it receives a report regarding an employee. The district said if evidence supports the allegations, it will take “appropriate action.”
In a separate statement issued late Thursday, the school district said it “will not tolerate any racial discrimination” and that it is committed to being “an inclusive, diverse district with an equitable environment that is continually fostering a positive learning environment for ALL.”
Neither of the statements addresses any disciplinary action that may have occurred with the staff members in question.
Both of the statements from Brenham ISD can be read below:
Friday's statement: We are fully aware of the allegations that have surfaced on social media. As this is a personnel issue, we do not comment on specific details; however, we can confirm the allegations made earlier in the year and recently referenced have been fully investigated. What we can share is that we take all reports seriously. When we receive reports regarding our employees, we conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation, which includes gathering witness statements and notifying the proper administrators. Should the evidence support the allegations, the district will take appropriate action.
Thursday's statement: It is our mission to create a safe and respectable space for our Brenham ISD students and staff. We aim to be A Proud Community Inspiring and Encouraging Excellence for ALL, and we are committed to providing an Exceptional Education for ALL. ALL includes individuals of different demographics including, but not limited to, ethnicity, gender, age and religious beliefs. Brenham ISD will not tolerate any racial discrimination and denounce racism, injustice and prejudice. We take all allegations seriously and will fully investigate incidents that are reported. Brenham ISD is committed to being an inclusive, diverse district with an equitable environment that is continually fostering a positive learning environment for ALL.
Brenham ISD will not comment on disciplinary action because they either haven’t taken any or are wanting to sweep this under the rug like they have done with the teacher on student bullying issues we have experienced, the high levels of unprofessionalism from teachers we have been receiving for the past 18 months now, and the dozen or more parents who have had to pull their students from Brenham schools because of these things and now fear retaliation and bullying from teachers and staff themselves. We brought this up personally to the superintendent and he has specifically and repeatedly ignored and denied meeting with us. This district and certain individuals repeatedly try to stifle complaints and sweep things under the rug.
It seems that if these accusations had any merit at all they would have brought them directly to the school administration instead of posting on a social media site. You wonder if there is any truth in it at all.
The thing is Rex, they have been brought to administration. A lot of things get brought to administration and nothing is done. Ever. Just a bunch of silence, retaliation, and/or ignoring or problems hoping they will just go away and people will not take further action. The individuals in power within the district do all they can to hide issues of bullying, racism, and intolerance and like to throw out a facade of positivity and celebration, sometimes for the individuals who are causing the problems themselves. This needs to have attention brought to it or it will never change. If you care about children in the slightest, you might want to have change happen as well.
Can any person, who is not cognitively impaired, not realize that what is placed into the social media arena can be quickly circulated and might be kept (digitally) for a long while? As well, can the same person not understand and be aware of what is going on in society with racial tensions being probably the most heightened since the early 1960s? While it is your right to believe whatever you want, the issue becomes spotlighted when you make a statement that reflects those beliefs in a public arena, and you, the organization, and society in general will have to deal with it.
For those who are already thinking “what does this matter” and “our freedoms are being taken away”, what is said, (and especially published) does matter. If one of the upset Brenham residents were to send a letter to city manager Fisher (or post to a social media platform) stating that “he would be killed” at some point, do you not think that he would be upset, and frightened and that the Brenham Police Department would be notified? As an individual who has never had any social media accounts, nor felt any benefits to society for their existence, I wonder if those persons who do have accounts would want all of their postings and replies to be made known publicly? Whatever the outcome with this case, I know for certain that everybody who works for the district is going to be forced to sit through hours of training and programs to make sure ‘they understand the ramifications of posting to social media’; I’ll bet that it’ll be an integral part of every in-service planning for the next decade.