Olympia School Board Actively Suppresses Public Comment After Admitting Illegal Discrimination At Centennial Elementary School

Administrators fail to follow district protocol after threats of violence at Washington Middle School and teacher at Chinook Middle School "accidentally" exposes children to kink and BDSM

The Olympia School Board, instead of facilitating public comment and involvement, has actively worked to shut it down. Last month, in an unannounced move, they shifted non agenda related comment to the end of the meeting, meaning parents had to stay until 9:30 pm or later. On a school night.

This month, they played even dirtier, with no advance notice, they moved the sign up for public comment from the day of the meeting, as it has traditionally been, to the day BEFORE the meeting. This means many speakers were shut out of the process.

It is hard to ascertain motive, and easy to be suspicious given the timing of the change as there were multiple significant issues that were sure to spark intense comment.

OSD allows three minutes for public speakers but reserves the right to cut that amount.

First was the segregated BIPOC only lunch club at Centennial Elementary which excluded children based on race in violation of state and federal civil rights laws.

The second was three threats of violence at the end of January, one of which was covered up by Washington Middle School, who tried to handle the incident internally without involving the police. It only became known thanks to parental complaints, who learned about it from their students.

There was a second incident at Washington Middle as well as another at Thurgood Marshall Middle School. All have concerned parents, especially due to the lack of School Resource Officers and the refusal of the board to reinstate them.

Finally, there are allegations the district is possibly retaliating against a teacher who has spoken out and that private parent Facebook pages have been infiltrated by OSD investigators.

I will also report on a Chinook Middle School teacher “accidentally” exposing 11 and 12 year old students to a book describing advanced sexual practices including BDSM.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Before we get started, let us pause and be Very Good People by doing a land acknowlegment ritual prayer. It is especially important because at the January 26th meeting Darcy Huffman apologized for the harm she had caused in using the tortured idiom “run up the totem pole [sic].” I am sorry for any pain I have caused by repeating such heinous words.

PUBLIC COMMENT MADE HARDER

At the January 26th meeting, the OSD board defended moving most public comment to the end of meetings in the name of “increased efficiency,” claiming it was “not about censorship.”

But it is. It is asking people to stay until after 9 pm to comment which IS a hardship that WILL discourage participation, especially for parents and working people. The board is erecting a needless barrier.

They made a strategic error however. By making speakers, parents and the media sit through the entire meeting instead of blowing out after public comment, more people will be exposed to their fuckery. At this meeting they even gave their responses BEFORE allowing people to speak, a sign they have no interest in addressing parental concerns.

Furthermore, Director Maria Flores showed disrespect and arrogance by not paying attention to the speakers who had waited almost three hours for their turn at the mic. In every speaker clip I have posted, she can be seen using her phone and writing instead of listening. Her disregard is blatant, her contempt palpable.

In the clip below, the parent, attending the meeting by Zoom, discusses verbal and physical outbursts at Hansen Elementary, affecting her student. Flores could not be more disinterested.

TEACHER ALLEGES HE IS BEING INVESTIGATED

Frank Durocher, a teacher who has spoken critically of the district at several meetings and in a private Facebook group is being targeted with what may be a retaliatory investigation designed to chill dissent among other teachers, many who oppose district policy but are too afraid of losing their jobs or facing a hostile work environment to go public with concerns.

Durocher, who has acted in good faith and with integrity, claims he has been very careful about his rhetoric and does not know specifically what is being investigated, only that it involves a social media post made on a private Facebook group called OSD Rescue run by Alesha Perkins.

It is possible that the target of the investigation is someone else but the district has lost the trust of this group of parents.

Again, if Durocher is being investigated, this is a tactical error on the part of the district as this could become yet another embarassing national news story and another front for legal action. Durocher says he “will be happy to have it handled by lawyers.”

All district business is considered public record and is available through FOIA requests.

RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AT CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY

It is hard to believe that in 2023, we are relitigating the practice of separating children into groups based on their skin color. In the past, segregation was forced by law and custom, in progressive utopia discrimination is “voluntary” but no less divisive.

This story has gotten regional and national attention. KOMO, Fox News, Jason Rantz of KTTH, Brandi Kruse, the Daily Caller, Gateway Pundit and Katie Daviscourt from Rebel News were among the media outlets covering the story after State Representative Jim Walsh posted on social media.

Left wing media refuses to report stories like this unless portraying parents as reactionary domestic terrorists or white supremacists for objecting to unequal treatment based on race.

The OSD board and schools are not used to media attention which is acting as one of the only checks and balances against their radical ideological programs. They do not welcome a diversity of viewpoints offered in good faith. They are the ones acting with prejudice.

Superintendent Patrick Murphy, who despite presiding over schools facing significant enrollment declines and resulting budget shortfalls, had his $250K contract renewed for three years at this meeting.

Murphy says he has difficulty understanding why parents are objecting to racially dividing elementary school students because they need need a safe space from other students, implying a failure on the part of OSD staff to protect students, which implies a failure of leadership on his part.

Parents have no problem with mentorship programs, especially those supporting students who are homeless, struggling academically or with other barriers to learning. To say race alone presents such an impediment is patronizing, and, truth be told, racist.

Murphy says he is willing to listen, but it is hard to understand why he can be ok with what has been determined by the district to be illegal exclusion being institutionalized.

Paul D. Thompson, in a spirited critique, answers Murphy’s questions. Ignored by Flores, Thompson says that the “equity program often leads to discrimination” citing prominent anti-racist Ibram X. Kendi who openly maintains the antidote to past discrimination is present day discrimination. Thompson calls this “planned discrimination,” that “in order to help one group of people, you must discriminate against another group of people.”

Thompson claimes to love affinity groups and mentorship programs “but what I don’t like, and what most people find objectionable, is a group purely created based on race, ethnicity, skin color [that] is exclusionary.”

The district has released a statement saying in the future no students will be excluded, and Thompson says by “removing exclusions to participation, that means there WERE exclusions.” He stated that the groups were founded as exclusionary in violation of federal Title VI anti-discrimination laws.

The only response to Mr. Thompson was for Scott Cliffthorne to chastise him for animated hand gestures, a moment eerily similar to The Evergreen State College protesters in 2017 admonishing President George Bridges for using his hands too much.

Maria Flores calls parent’s claims of segregation “a false equivalency,” citing Brown v Board of Eduction. She neglected to mention that Brown was a correction to Plessy v Ferguson, which had advanced separate but equal facilities were legal.

She said we must “understand the barriers in our system” which begs, is she alleging that students are treated differently because of their skin color? If so, there should be a thorough investigation and those responsible held accountable, including herself, as she is the president of the board and this discrimnation happened on her watch.

Flores went on to say that “everyone has issues with social emotional learning, trauma and mental health,” a statistically untrue statement that serves to pathologize students. She asked opponents to “please consider what it feels like to be a person who has experienced in your family segregation [sic] and that to invoke that word, it’s irresponsible.”

What the district is doing is illegal but they do not seem to care, as they have vowed to keep doing “what they have been doing for years.” Other districts in the US have faced lawsuits for similar behavior, something the district can ill afford and is provoking with their rhetoric and actions.

President Trump’s Department of Education was investigating these civil rights violations and was going to issue a decision, which the Biden administration shut down before it could be published.

Quote from a KOMO News article.

In a remarkable display of emotional manipulation, Board President Darcy Huffman lectured, scolded, shamed and condescended to parents as she defiantly vowed to continue to have segregated spaces. She started with sarcasm and then went on to mock the parent who complained because her child missed playing with his friends at lunch, presumably referencing Jessica Juergens, who appeared in a segment on KOMO.

Huffman chastised Juergans for complaining about the lunch club which was “meant to give BIPOC kids a safe place to talk.” What is happening at Centennial that is making kids feel unsafe?

Huffman said that on some days kids can bring an “ally.” Not a friend, but an “ally.”

She claims that students asked the principle to hold this space. It is hard to imagine 8-10 years old coming up with such a concept, much less requesting it, without adult guidance. Putting that aside, even if they did ask, the adults in the room should have the judgment not to break the law to provide it.

Rather than speaking to the statements the district was forced to issue, Huffman deflected, referencing the “stack of emails’ the school recieved, some of which were abusive.

At this point she started crying, saying the “magic” felt in the BIPOC group had been compromised and many hard talks were had with students, which would not have been necessary had the district followed the law in the first place.

This is a DARVO move, a psychological tactic where a person Denies, Attacks and Reverses Victim and Offender. She is victim blaming parents for objecting when it was her administration that committed the illegal act.

Without giving any evidence she believes Centennial was purposefully targeted and “that is not OK.”

Her speech left several women weeping in the audience.

DISTRICT FORCED TO ISSUE STATEMENTS

Due to parental and media pressure, OSD issued the following statements, a rare win for parents. The first is guidance to Mentor Program Advisors about the need for their groups to “not be exclusionary.” They clarify that any exclusions to participation must be removed.

Message sent to staff about the BIPOC only program being illegal.

While these mentors may be encouraged to follow the letter of the law, will they also follow the spirit? Or will they find work arounds to subvert rules and/or will there be subtle pressure placed on white students to stay away in order to be “good allies?” Maria Flores stated that appropriate “allyship” meant allowing BIPOC students exclusive spaces. Will that be the unstated expectation?

Below is the statement released to parents.

Hillary Seidel says there are students being underserved in the district. Why is that?

She said because of increased spending on counselors and family liasons in the past year and a half, monitoring reports show that student growth, including reading and math scores, is “going up significantly.”

She ended by telling people they should “celebrate” Black Lives Matter this week, this month and this year.

Here are the proficiency stats from 2019 and 2022.

There was a report of a protest at Centennial, complete with BLM signs asking to “Bring BIPOC Back.” It consisted of a 8-10 students led by family liason specialist Sara Foppiano.

In case you were wondering what a family lisaon specialist does:

Christopher Rufo writes, “DEI initiatives resemble practices of cult initiation. The path of “racial identity development” does not take as its endpoint individual psychological health but the submersion of the individual into political ideology. Whites are designated an oppressor class, born with racial guilt that can only be expiated through elaborate rituals and commitments to left-wing activism, to the point that they are alienated from previous relationships.”

Those relationships include parents.

Enrollment is down.

Lack of political neutrality is a huge reason.

In their rush to demonize and dismiss criticism, board members and “allies” do not understand how deeply people have internalized the messages of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Exclusion is wrong.

It is ironic and frustrating that the biggest proponents of DEI are in favor of discrimination.

We are deemed white supremacists for finding the separation people into different classes based on skin color abhorrent. We reject the notion that a person is defined by race and associated stereotypes. We would be equally appalled by groups that were white only.

During the women’s and gay righrs movements, inclusion meant a seat at the SAME table, not a different table in a different room. It was highly insulting to say the workplace was not “safe” for woman, patronizing and infantilizing. It denied women strength and agency.

From a Harvard study on racially and ethnically segregated affinity groups.

The white saviours of the OSD may have good intentions but they are doing damage to children by separating them based on skin color. It is hard to believe there is any level of credible racism in elementary school children in Olympia. It is fear indoctrination to teach children they are not safe around their peers. It is pyschologically harmful to tell kids that are either oppressed or an oppressor. It also teaches victimhood.

Cultural and perspective exchange is what reduces bigotry and enhances appreciation of true diversity which is not skin deep but is personality, interests and ways of thinking. Kids of different backgrounds should be encouraged to spend time together. Jessica Jeurgens son mentors lower grades in reading skills which is wonderful.

Darcy Huffman complains critics are putting “innocent children” in the middle of the culture war, a classic example of the Iron Law of Woke Projection. It is the district that is indoctrinating kids in critical race theory and social justice activism.

Children should not be identified as a marginalized groups and “allies.” To be an “ally” is to be political, the goal should be authentic cross cultural relationships, AKA friendship. Allyship means there is a heirarchy, and there should be deference, friendship dissolves such boundaries.

Kids don’t understand these dynamics. If there are incidents of bullying they should be dealt with individually. Kids should have freedom of association, the ability to play together, to form friendship circles at will based on shared interests.

Giving some kids preferential treatment can lead to resentment in those not favored and entitlement in those who are. This is human nature and officials should recognize it.

There was a BIPOC only Christmas present giveaway at one school, where children were told to hide the gifts in their backpacks to avoid hurt feelings from other children. An adult telling a child to keep a secret in this context is quite troubling, what are the messages sent and recieved?

Some schools in the United States are reportedly grading and applying discipline based on skin color, which is also a violation of civil rights law and highly offensive.

Young children are being told they are privileged and have power just because they are white and/or male. Humans are hardwired for fairness, and do not react well when situations are unjust. Students will see this disparate treatment which will only increase racial tensions.

I have seen anecdotal evidence that students are being bullied or shunned for asking questions or for having different points of view.

SROs AND SAFETY THREATS

As I have reported on this story for the past four months, I have heard of students and teachers facing actual unsafe conditions at all grade levels. Parents have spoken repeatedly for the need to reinstate SROs in the schools both for protection and to serve as positive role models.

Alesha Perkins, a parent, also ignored by Maria Flores, stated that on November 10, 2022, Scott Cliffthorne said “there was no rational basis for having SROs on campus” and there was “no evidence it makes a difference.”

Having done her homework, Perkins found a “mountain of evidence,” several hundred pages of incidents where SROs made a difference in school safety outcomes. As she presented Cliffthorne with the documentation, he refused to even look at her, as seen at the end of this clip.

Reluctance to engage with law enforcement in a recent incident at Washington Middle School has parents like Perkins concerned. There was a threat of violence from a student on Janurary 24th, and OPD was not involved until January 27, only because of a parent contacting them.

The school did not speak with OPD until January 30th. This negligence put students and staff at risk as well as violating district policy which requires administrators to contact law enforcement immediately for any threat of violence.

Below is the email the assistant principal finally sent to parents, where she calls the threat “a joke.” Compare that with the OPD report on the incident where there is no indication this was anything resembling humor.

Here is the OPD report obtained by FOIA. It is important to note that the assistant principal refused to identify the student making the threat. OPD took the incident seriously.

Assistant Principal Hauschka’s handling of the situation does not inspire confidence in her ability to keep her students safe.

Simone Grant spoke at the board meeting about the incident and cites a previous funding survey where parents indicated safety was their #1 priority. She wants more security, not less, including uniformed officer presence. Per ususal, Maria Flores ignored her.

Washington Middle School had another threat of violence on January 31, where perhaps learning their lesson, perhaps due to parental outcry, they involved OPD on the same day.

Another threat was reported at Thurgood Marshall Middle School, also on January 31, according to a district email.

CHINOOK MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER EXPOSES KIDS TO BDSM MATERIAL

A Chinook Middle School teacher in the North Thurston School District claimed the book The Queen’s English “accidentally” made its way into her classroom.

The book was available to students who completed their assignments early. It is an encyclopedia of queer terminology and included definitions for gloryholes, leather daddies, golden showers, polyamory, cruising and more.

When this reporter contacted the principal, she wrote back and said she would investigate. Through sources I learned that the book was indeed in the classroom and would be removed. I was told this was being taken seriously “at the highest levels.”

Giving the benefit of the doubt to the teacher, Nadine Tussey, it still reveals a lack of professionalism and control of her classroom. Given the prominance of Pride and trans flags in her room as well as pro LGBTQ+ images on her social media, it seems reasonable to conclude this was no accident. She is an Evergreen graduate.

Following is some of the material 11 and 12 year olds were exposed to, some will be offensive to adults.

Some will argue kids are already potentially exposed to such material, as they can easily find it on the internet. It is one thing for a kid to surreptiously engage with this material, it is another for it to be presented by an adult in a classroom setting. This demonstrates incredibly poor judgment on the part of Tussey.

This material has to potential to distort what healthy sex and boundaries are as well as making sex more scary than it already is to kids that age. It is also putting pressure on them to be anything but boring oppressive cishet.

Will children feel safe after looking thorugh this book?

Might they be aroused?

Might they act on that arousal?

Might their boundaries be compromised should an adult later suggest these activities?

After all, Ms. Tussey approved.

COMPLETE PLAYLIST OF CLIPS FROM THE OSD BOARD MEETING HERE

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Candace Mercer is an artist/writer/activist based in Olympia, WA. She has written on homeless response and political violence in the PNW. In 2021, she ran for Olympia City Council. Her art can be found at candio.com.