March 11, 2021
By Jon King / [email protected]
A representative from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) will be at Hartland High School today as the district continues to respond to allegations of a color student who has continuously racially harassed her and who staff knew about “and did.” Nothing.”
Senior 18-year-old Tatayana Vanderlaan, a young black woman, posted multiple cases on social media saying she was exposed to racist ridicules and surnames by fellow students, including the N-word, as well as threats, including the fact that she should be “lynched” there.
Can we please talk about the terrible RACSIM at the HARTLAND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS? also how ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT AND WILL …
Posted by Tatayana Vanderlaan on Monday 1st Mar 2021
One of the aftermath of the revelations was a statement from MDCR Director James E. White who said he was “very concerned about the report” and called it an “unacceptable situation” that must be ended immediately. White said he was also concerned by reports that teachers and school administrators did not respond when they were first made aware of the situation, adding that the department was in contact with the school “to help with the assessment to help their policies and provide training assistance “.
Vicki Levengood is the MDCR’s communications director and tells WHMI that Charles Schroeder and his Community Engagement team will lead the effort. Levengood said her main goal is to make sure that Ms. Vanderlaan and all other students are safe and that the district is “in a good place” going forward. She said today’s visit will only start the process, which could take months.
Today’s visit follows a meeting last Friday with representatives from all five Livingston County’s school districts, several charter schools and the Livingston County Diversity Council to investigate why such incidents have occurred in not just Hartland but other counties in the county, and how to prevent them in the future.
Hartland Superintendent Chuck Hughes addressed the issue in his weekly COVID-19 update to the district’s parents, saying that they “are currently in the process of reviewing our practices and expectations to determine our plans, such as education and professional development as you progress. As part of this process, we will review the student and staff policy to ensure there is no tolerance for anyone who ignores our core values of common sense, respect, and responsibility. “
At Monday’s school council meeting, Hughes stated that some participating students would be placed on an educational plan based on behaviors they have exhibited, while others would join the disciplinary process. He added that they obviously thought they were doing the right things as a district, but it was obvious that “something went wrong” and that they “need to make sure we address this as a community, as a school district”.
Levengood said part of their process is also to determine if a civil rights violation has occurred and, if so, to investigate it fully and impartially and ultimately seek sanctions if necessary.
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office is also conducting a criminal investigation into threats against Vanderlaan.
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