BREA : School Trustees OK Anti-Bias Policy

Brea Olinda Unified School District trustees this week gave final approval to a policy that prohibits students from discriminating against each other and stresses zero tolerance against such behavior.

“We will not accept or condone discrimination,” Assistant Supt. Peter J. Boothroyd said. “We will not tolerate it.”

Under a similar policy implemented earlier this month, students who display or distribute flyers or any kind of hate material, including stickers and buttons, will face suspension or expulsion.

In addition, students are prohibited from name-calling and from discriminating, harassing, teasing, abusing or assaulting other students because of a handicap or a difference in background, ability, religion, culture, race, ethnicity, language, tradition or sex.

The “zero tolerance” policy will make students aware that district officials will not stand for discrimination or actions stemming from hatred for schoolmates, Boothroyd said.

District officials said the policies were implemented in an effort to prevent racial and ethnic discrimination among students. In the past year, four students were suspended after racial discrimination incidents. Until last year, principals would call parents and counsel students against discrimination, but now such problems have to be reported to the district.