SLO County schools concerned with post-election hate speech

December 5, 2016

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.