DESOTO COUNTY, Miss. — A civil rights organization and a group of DeSoto County citizens, filed a federal complaint claiming racial discrimination was prevelant in Desoto County Schools.
The complaint claimed schools in Desoto County discipline black students unfairly, while not doing enough when white students get in trouble.
The group said they have been taking their complaints to DeSoto schools for three years and feel this was their only way to get changes made.
“DeSoto County is grooming our children for early interaction with the criminal justice system,” said Cassandra Norwood a parent.
Norwood was angry over the way her nine-year old son was disciplined after a “rest room” break at DeSoto Central Elementary School in January.
“As my son was leaving he pushed the stall door open. It fell over and hit the floor,” she said.
Norwood believed her son was too harshly punished because of a faulty door and because he’s black.
She said the school system was more interested in punishing her son, than making sure the bathroom stall door wasn’t a hazard.
“My son was immediately charged with vandalism, hostile actions and acts which threaten the safety of others,” said Norwood.
She said the school suspended him for 3 days, put him in an alternative learning center and on probation.
The group, along with an organization called Advancement Project, filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.
The complaint included recent federal data showing black students represented 32% of the student population in DeSoto County, but made up 55% of all students suspended.
It also called the suspensions stricter.
DeSoto County Schools responded to Tuesday’s press conference with an email statement:
“The number one priority of DeSoto County School District is the safety of our students. The District has a code of discipline in place that provides a safe learning environment. This is one of the reasons for the District’s academic success. As part of that code of discipline, the District has procedures and polices in place to insure that discipline is applied fairly to all students regardless of race. Racial discrimination will not be tolerated in our schools. Any allegation that DCS discriminates against students based on race is totally unfounded and false. ” read a statement from Katherine Nelson, Director of Communications.
Regardless, Jadine Johnson, Staff Attorney for Advancement Project, believed the concerns were valid and DeSoto County Parents and Students for Justice wants the County to find alternatives to suspension.
“That instruct and correct behavior. Not suspensions that exclude students, punish their behavior and set them behind academically,” she said.