ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights says the Truth or Consequences school district must ensure an educational environment free of racial discrimination after a Black student complained about a high school racism project.
The district and the Office of Civil Rights have signed a resolution agreement under which the district will develop and implement procedures for addressing racial harassment claims.
However, the federal office found no violations of law arising from allegations against the district last year on behalf of student Gabriel Reynolds. The agency said it would not sanction the educators.
The decision came down July 9, more than a year after Hot Springs High School students posted signs saying “Whites only” and “people of color” above a school water faucet as part of a project for an English class focusing on social justice. The students hoped to secretly monitor others’ reactions.
Other students tore down the signs within minutes, but Reynolds said the signs shocked and angered him. He complained that he was humiliated.
His family filed complaints with the federal and state education departments.
