SLO County schools concerned with post-election hate speech

December 5, 2016
James Brescia

James Brescia

In the aftermath of President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in last month’s election, the superintendent of San Luis Obispo County schools is warning local students against demonstrating racism and using hate speech. [Tribune]

Though it does not appear the incidents resulted in any damage beyond hurt feelings, there have been several reports of students making inappropriate comments following the Nov. 8 election. The incidents prompted Superintendent James Brescia to issue a memorandum on Thursday.

“If there is a problem in your school or community, communicate with local officials in order to send a signal that there is no place for racism, hate or bullying within our schools or community,” Brescia stated in the memo.

Brescia said negative rhetoric that appeared in the local and national media “stoked fears and tensions” among students. Separately, the superintendent told the Tribune the recent election was the most negative experience he had ever been through.

While details are sparse since administrators are citing confidentiality rules, local educators have disclosed that students at San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles high schools have accused some of their peers of making inappropriate post-election comments.

At San Luis Obispo High, one student reportedly made an inappropriate comment to another during a class period. School administrators met with both students, as well as their parents, in order to resolve the issue.

The day following the election, a group of Paso Robles students reportedly shouted some slogans, like “Go Trump,” at a group of Latino students. Paso Robles Principal Eric Martinez said the shouts were not directed at specific individuals and that he thought the Trump supporters were expressing their pleasure with the outcome. But Latino groups said the shouts had a definite effect on how they felt.

Martinez said school staffers told the pro-Trump group they have a right to free speech, but that speech cannot be directed at specific individuals or groups while on school grounds.

Since the election, there have been no instances of hate speech at Paso Robles High, Martinez said. But, there was a spike in students seeking guidance from school counselors.

Nipomo High School did not report any cases of inappropriate remarks. Principal John Denno said, though, some students asked their teachers what a Trump presidency might mean for relatives who are living in the country illegally or for gay or transgender people.

The principals of Arroyo Grande and Atascadero high schools said no incidents occurred on their campuses.

However, at Pauling Middle School in Arroyo Grande, officials investigated two cases of inappropriate statements. School administrators met with both students, as well as their parents, in order to resolve the issue.

Neither the superintendent’s office, nor local law enforcement has had to intervene in any of the post-election incidents at local schools.


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Wow! “Snowflake-babies”, “Little Sissies” and “Grow A Pair” is what you have to say to our kids when they feel threatened? Again, WOW!!!! Just as long as your kids get the same “advise” and “encouraging” dogmas in your home I guess it’s all good.


I’ll tell y’all who the real sissies are; those who minimize this kind of crap to the point of calling our kids names, that’s who! Come call my kid any of those things and we’ll see just how big a pair you have….


Bullying takes many forms and the article in no way can show what really happened; “Go Trump” said with a smile and a thumbs-up is far different than said with a scowl and fist pumps, especially to those that your president-elect demonized (I’m sorry! I used another worthless”buzz-word”).


Our public schools are now officially threatened, or haven’t you heard? The Queen of the barely legal pyrimid company known as AmWay is now our Secretary of Education and her often stated goal is to tear down the public school system and replace it with charter schools. Will they be all inclusive and accept “Snowflake-babies”, “Little Sissies” and require a physical examination to insure they “have a pair”? You all can only hope, right?


Sad, so sad…


No, No, I agree this has been the worse :


“Brescia said negative rhetoric that appeared in the local and national media “stoked fears and tensions” among students. Separately, the superintendent told the Tribune the recent election was the most negative experience he had ever been through.”


And WHY is that? Because the Local and National media and the Clinton campaign instigated Hatred, Fear, discrimination, AND made all that synonymous with Trump, based on their overt leftest bias. They twisted and turned every word, interpreting everything with a negative “Be Scared” denotation. And literally creating a society of Media induced Lemmings, demeaning what it is to be an American. Wasn’t that Clintons’ campaign? Choose me or be scared?

And Trump knew, any attention is good, weather it’s good or bad. To the Media it didn’t matter what he was intending, it was twisted to comply with Clinton’s campaign. But the fallout it just crazy.

ITs the media’s fault for equating Go Trump with ethnic negativity. Why would these kids even be offended if not “told” they should be?? How about teaching these kids to be proud of who they are and STOP equating themselves with belittling negativity? Shame to the media for belittling our ethnic groups and the LBGT community. They have been betrayed by the very group they voted for.


Well said.


The Sup of schools is absolutely right to warn about hate speech. Many types of speech are not protected by the 1st amendment. Any speech that encourages violence or harassment of others is not protected. Same goes for libelous or slanderous speech. Speech with false information in order to obtain money from others is fraud. (Trump’s favorite). So please don’t think free speech means you say anything in a public setting. You can’t.


Actually, you’re wrong. That’s EXACTLY what free speech means. The fact you can’t is because we don’t have free speech. Perhaps you were referring to Free Speech ™, the branded American marketing ploy.


No, you are wrong, shouting fire in a crowded theater is not protected speech and is just one example.


“Inflammatory words that are either injurious by themselves or might cause the hearer to immediately retaliate or breach the peace. Use of such words is not necessarily protected “free speech” under the First Amendment.”


None of those things appear to have occurred in this case.


Ladies & Gentlemen,


I am beginning to think we need to elect a new SLO County Superintendent of Instruction.


Former schools chief Julian Crocker NEVER would have immersed himself in partisan politics, and I question James Brecia’s competence in trying to insert his opinions into a national political contest. Clearly, Brecia is looking for the far-left supporters in SLO County.


I quote the article: “Separately, the superintendent told the Tribune the recent election was the most negative experience he had ever been through.” Really?


If the free and democratic election of a new leader in our democracy is the most negative experience that James Brecia has ever been through, I would say he has’t been through much at all.


We deserve tougher leaders, so let’s replace this wimpy bureaucrat!


Just saying,


Mr. Josey Wales


Dump Brecia!