In The Park Record’s recent article (“Students, parents doubt schools will quell rampant harassment” April 9), Dr. Jill Gildea says that “everyone does their best, and they do more as they learn more.”

I feel compelled to address this comment directly: No, Dr. Gildea, you did not do more as you learned more. In fact, you did almost nothing. I included you on every email I sent to school administrators describing the racial harassment my kids endured, and I never heard from you. Not once.

Only after the Department of Education began their investigation and my son personally requested to meet with you, did you directly address the situation.

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Your solution? To ask him to speak to the teachers at the Back to School convocational at the start of the year. He accepted your invitation, standing on stage in the Eccles Center in August, addressing elementary through high school teachers and administrators. He spoke with eloquence and clarity as he
described just a few of the humiliating taunts to which he was subjected over the prior three years.

He concluded by imploring the district to do more to stop the hate, and to ensure an equitable education for the victims of discrimination. He received a standing ovation from the teachers, some of whom blotted away tears.

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One of his former teachers approached me afterward and asked, “So when the hell are they going to start doing something?”

As evidenced in the OCR report, the teachers are well aware of the problem of hate speech in the schools, but they feel powerless to effect change under your administration. I have had numerous teachers express to me their frustration with the lack of action from the district leadership.

The OCR report documents the 17 times my son was racially harassed by 14 different students
over a two-year period, his 7th and 8th grade years. This doesn’t even account for the torment he
endured in 6th grade, and racism that continues this year in 9th grade.

In fact, two days after the OCR report was released, I was contacted by TMJH and put in contact with the Title IX officer regarding a new incident of racial and sexual harassment. I hadn’t even had time to read the full 30 page report before learning of yet another situation.

Last week another parent reached out to me seeking guidance in navigating the racial harassment her 6th grade son is currently experiencing. She described to me the very same things my son endured in 6th grade, when we began advocating for change and were told the school was doing all they could do.

Dr. Gildea, you claim that everyone does their best, and they do more as they learn more. In the case of my son, you have learned much in the past 3 years but have done very little. If this is the best you can do, perhaps the role of District Superintendent is not for you.

Kelly Bullett

Park City