Considering the impressive response to my last article, it seems an introduction is due to appease the public and clarify my position about the controversial issues I have discussed. Firstly, I go by Q because I am not a parent of an Estancia Municipal Schools District (EMSD) student but rather someone much younger and with a closer relationship to the school. Therefore, I could face consequences for sharing my insight and opinions about the school district and staff.
While some of you may have found my previous article upsetting and one-sided, I would be more than happy to see a response from the district in a formal or informal form. I simply call the situation as I see it within the hallways of the school and believe radical honesty may be what is needed. While it may cause some discomfort, it will bring about the change needed for the students.
At this very moment, parents in good standing with the community are removing their children from EMSD for numerous issues ranging from racism to sexual assault. I beg you all to watch the school board meeting on July 11th in which a horrific sexual assault and its gross mishandling is discussed and immediately dismissed by the Superintendent.
The community member who addressed the Board and Superintendent about the matter was promptly told to take it up in private after he had already attempted to handle the matter privately for over two weeks. Not only has the matter been mishandled by the district, but it also traumatized a young child. If EMSD cannot be expected to educate our children, they should at least be expected to keep our students safe from gross sexual harassment and sexual assault.
The bar needs to be raised for EMSD. The community must demand at least a basic level of protection for children. While I am unable to publicly demand these changes I plead for our community, those with and without children, to stand up against this gross negligence and hold the district accountable for these travesties so no child will have to face sexual assault while being referred to as a “guinea pig”.
I am Q and I will continue to report on the whispers in the hallways of EMSD to create positive change and correct the issues in our school. If you have any information to share on any matter you would like investigated, please contact me at [email protected].
If you know someone who has been the victim of sexual discrimination, harassment, or assault at school, do something!
- Find out about filing a complaint.
- Find out how to change the school administration’s policies and culture responsible for allowing the problem.
- Protect yourself and others from retaliation by teachers and administrators.
- Break the silence and empower others!
