County Report Describes Ethnic Tension at School

Resentment and distrust have increased at a Pacoima elementary school since a February incident in which the principal told police he was attacked by anti-white assailants, according to a county report released Monday.

The increased tensions at Burton Street Elementary arose because of rumors that the attack on Norman Bernstein was “provoked by racial conflict in a school that has a 90% Latino enrollment whose numerous grievances have gone unheeded by school authorities,” according to the report by the county’s Commission on Human Relations. It is to be presented to the Board of Supervisors today.

“Increased distrust among teachers and some parents has led to low morale, divisiveness and dissatisfaction,” the report said.

The attack is being investigated as a hate crime by Los Angeles police, who said Monday that they have not identified any suspects.

With rapidly changing populations in Southern California, the report states, Los Angeles County is experiencing an unprecedented level of tension among various ethnic groups.

The report recommends that school districts form “incident response teams” trained in conflict resolution to head off or minimize crises among ethnic groups.

Xavier Flores, president of the Mexican American Political Assn., who is serving as an advocate on behalf of the parents, praised the report.

“It acknowledges the problems that exist in that school,” he said. “It clearly states that parents’ issues have not been dealt with. That in and of itself is a big step.”

Meanwhile, at a private meeting Friday at Burton Street Elementary School, a selected group of parents, teachers and administrators agreed to move forward with mediation.

No date has been set, but those involved said the formal mediation should begin in about 2 1/2 weeks.