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topicnews · August 29, 2024

San Angelo ISD is being investigated by the OCR

San Angelo ISD is being investigated by the OCR

The Standard-Times obtained information about the complaint through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Here’s everything you need to know about the investigation launched by the U.S. Office for Civil Rights into possible discrimination at San Angelo ISD.

The Standard-Times obtained a copy of the complaint filed against SAISD under the Freedom of Information Act. The documents contain allegations of “escalating” discrimination against teachers, parents and students in Glenmore Elementary’s bilingual program.

“The district has only targeted schools with very high proportions of Hispanics and students from low socioeconomic families who do not speak and/or communicate well in English,” the complaint states. “This is not a one-time act of discrimination against families, students and teachers in the bilingual program, but an ongoing problem that appears to be getting worse every day.”

More: San Angelo ISD under investigation by Office of Civil Rights

SAISD filed a case with the OCR, which is part of the U.S. Department of Education, on May 3. The newspaper’s request to the OCR for more information about the investigation resulted in the release of documents on Aug. 15, including the original complaint with redacted information and a letter informing the district of the investigation.

School district administration declined to comment for this story Wednesday.

“San Angelo ISD cannot comment on the ongoing investigation at this time,” said Shannon Schwartz, SAISD communications director.

Background information on the case

The complainant, whose identity was redacted, provided background information on his case, beginning with a district sustainability plan.

The district had proposed consolidating two elementary schools, San Jacinto and Reagan, beginning in the 2023-24 school year. The plan called for sending all students in kindergarten through fifth grade from San Jacinto to Reagan, using San Jacinto as an early childhood education center.

“This would allow the district to place all three- and four-year-old students in the special education program in just one school and reduce the regular preschool programs offered at eight different schools to a single location, San Jacinto Elementary,” the complaint states.

In Reagan and San Jacinto, the proportion of Hispanic, non-English speaking, and socioeconomically disadvantaged students is very high.

“Parents at both schools opposed the district’s plan because they viewed it as discriminatory and unsafe for students, who would have to walk long distances through dangerous neighborhoods to and from their assigned school due to a lack of transportation,” the complaint states.

This proposal was made public and “explained in detail” by the principal months in advance. Parents knew when the proposal would be presented to the school board for approval and thus had time to prepare arguments against the merger.

During the school board meeting on February 27, 2023, parents had the opportunity to speak out against the proposal. Five out of seven council members voted against the proposal and for the parents.

The trustees asked the administration to submit another recommendation to be presented at the next school board meeting on March 27.

Next step: reducing bilingual programs

“As a result of their failed merger proposal, school administrators decided to downsize the preschool programs at eight different elementary schools, offering them at only four schools,” the complaint states. “However, the bilingual programs were never mentioned as part of the sustainability plan.”

Their recommendation also included merging the bilingual programs offered at two different elementary schools, Glenmore and Bradford, into just one school, which would impact students from preschool through second grade.

For the 2023-24 school year, the bilingual program would be offered only in Bradford, with all Glenmore students and teachers relocating.

“Once again, school administrators have decided to target Hispanic and non-English speaking students and families without considering the academic, social and emotional impact this would have on students,” the complaint states.

These decisions, as well as the allegations listed below, form the basis for the discrimination lawsuit, according to federal documents:

  • The decision was made less than a week before the school board meeting and was made without any involvement of parents and teachers.
  • Parents and teachers were not informed of the changes in a timely manner and were not told that the recommendation would be presented at the school board meeting on March 27.
  • The bilingual teachers at Glenmore were not informed of the decision until March 23.
  • Parents were notified of the changes in a misleading and unprofessional letter on March 24. The letter did not include a signature, date, or the name of the school/district principal.
  • The school administration kept information secret from parents and teachers. On March 27, the administration met with all bilingual teachers and school board members from both schools to discuss the changes and make plans for the transition. During the meeting, someone – whose name was redacted in the documents – was asked if the decision had already been approved by the school board. The administration stated that it did not need the board’s approval. “She did not mention to the teachers that she would present her recommendation to the school board a few minutes later,” the complaint states. “By withholding this information, she denied the teachers the opportunity to speak up and communicate their concerns to the school board members.”
  • School officials waited until April 11 to hold the first in-person meeting with Glenmore parents to discuss the changes and answer their questions. Parents expressed concerns and disapproval, but were told the decision had already been made and nothing would change.

Parents are against their children moving to Bradford

According to the complaint, the parents alleged the following and were concerned:

  • They were dissatisfied with the lack of consideration and respect shown by school administrators and felt that their civil rights were being violated when school administrators made decisions for their children without informing them and/or giving them an opportunity to have a say.
  • The move would impact the social and emotional well-being of students.
  • The schools are located at opposite ends of the city.
  • Transportation was offered, but parents did not want to put their children at risk by leaving them alone at their home school and having to wait for the school bus to pick them up.
  • The demographics of both schools are different and parents felt that their children did not have the same educational opportunities at Bradford.

The complaint said it was hoped the district would reinstate the bilingual program at Glenmore or another school so that students from both parts of the city could benefit from the program.

On October 17, 2023, Dr. Christopher Moran, Superintendent of SAISD, was sent a notice informing him of the investigation.

As a public service, the Office for Civil Rights publishes a list of elementary schools, high schools, and post-secondary educational institutions that are currently under investigation, according to its website.

More: Here are the new principals and district leaders for the school year at SAISD

More: Earthquake damage: SAISD’s San Jacinto Elementary to merge with Reagan at the start of school

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