News Update

ACLU files complaint against Humboldt County school district alleging discrimination against Native American students

The ACLU of Northern California has filed a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education on behalf of the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria alleging that Native American and students with disabilities have been discriminated against in the Loleta Union School District in Humboldt County.

The complaint alleges that Loleta Elementary School staff have used racial slurs and racially coded language when speaking to Native American students and that concerns raised by parents of these students have been met with indifference.

The complaint also alleges that school staff excluded disabled students from class as punishment for behavior caused by their disability, instead of modifying disciplinary polices for disabled students as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“Explicit and implicit racism affects students’ vision of themselves and their futures,” said Darrell Sherman, council member of the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria. “Being subjected to racist remarks and stereotypes at school. We need to tell kids they are doing a good job; tell them they are going to succeed —and treat them accordingly. We all have a role in building up and protecting the youth in our community.”