When I first came across this story on Gawker, I had to check the calendar, but nope, I did not travel through time; it is still 2010.
As first reported on Mixed and Happy, the Nettleton School District has a policy that requires them to restrict certain positions in student elections by two races: black or white. So if you are a black student and want to run for president, you can’t. In some grades, if you are a white student you can’t run for other positions that have been designated for only “black students”, depending on what grade. If you are East Asian, South Asian, Aboriginal, Metis, Saami, or anything else that doesn’t fit in the two designated categories of “black” or “white” need not apply. If you are mixed, the school looks at the race of your mother (I wonder what they would do if the mother is mixed as well?).
Click on image for larger version.
Allegedly this policy is because of a “court order”. I would LOVE to see this court order. I would also love to see how many other schools have similar policies, court order or not. I suspect if there other areas with similar policies, they will come to light in the coming days.
The following is the Media Statement released from the Nettleton School District:
Media Statement
“Student elections have not yet been held at Nettleton Middle School for the 2010-2011 school term. The processes and procedures for student elections are under review. We are reviewing the origin of these processes, historical applications, compliance issues, as well as current implications and ramifications. A statement will be released when review of these processes is complete.”
Thank You
Superintendent
Russell Taylor
Looking at the four-member school board, it is made up of of both black and white members. But this doesn’t make this policy anymore acceptable no matter how you slice it. Further looking on their website, while there are sections for the board minutes and the board policy, neither are available to the public. I would love to see how their board meetings go down.
On a side note, Nettleton’s slogan is “The city on the right track!” Sorry, Nettleton, but with policy’s like this that are teaching your kids that racism is a-okay is certainly off-track.
UPDATE (Aug 28/10)
Nettleton has officially reversed this policy. statement released on their website:
Media Statement
After being notified of a grievance regarding upcoming student elections at Nettleton Middle School, research was conducted that evidenced that the current practices and procedures for student elections have existed for over 30 years. It is the belief of the current administration that these procedures were implemented to help ensure minority representation and involvement in the student body. It is felt the intent of these election procedures was to ensure African-American representation in each student office category through an annual rotation basis.
It is our hope and desire that these practices and procedures are no longer needed to help ensure minority representation and involvement. Furthermore, the Nettleton School District acknowledges and embraces the fact that we are growing in ethnic diversity and that the classifications of Caucasian and African-American no longer reflect our entire student body.
Therefore, beginning immediately, student elections at Nettleton School District will no longer have a classification of ethnicity. It is our intent that each student has equal opportunity to seek election for any student office. Future student elections will be monitored to help ensure that this change in process and procedure does not adversely affect minority representation in student elections.
Thank you
Superintendent
Russell Taylor
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