A Wausau East student filed a complaint that a teacher used racial slurs. He’s back in the classroom. Here’s what we know.
WAUSAU - The Wausau School District is under fire after allowing a teacher to return to Wausau East High School after he allegedly directed racist and sexist slurs at an Asian American student.
The complaint, filed by the student and the student's parents, was dismissed, citing that while the band teacher, Robert Perkins, engaged in "insensitive and unprofessional conduct," the investigation concluded that it was neither considered harassment nor discrimination.
Dueling news releases Wednesday and Thursday from the Wausau School District and Asian American leaders of the Wausau community offer insight into Perkins' conduct and the decision to let the teacher return to the classroom.
Here's what we know.
Student's complaint alleges discrimination and harassment by teacher
A few weeks ago, the Wausau School District received a complaint that Perkins used anti-Asian racial slurs and made sexist comments directed at a Wausau East student and other students in the Wausau East band program, according to releases from the district and Asian American leaders in the community.
The student and the student's parents filed a complaint against Perkins, citing that the nature of this language is not only offensive but a clear signal of discrimination and harassment.
In an April 26 letter to the family and Perkins, obtained by the Wausau Daily Herald, Wausau School District Superintendent Keith Hilts wrote that the results of a district investigation found that Perkins' language did not "rise to the level of discrimination or harassment."
Hilts explained that the district's compliance officer, Tabatha Gundrum, conducted a "thorough investigation." After interviewing Perkins, the parents, the student and other students who "represented multiple demographics," Gundrum confirmed that Perkins did use insensitive language that caused "unease" among students.
The letter stated that Perkins often uses humor to "engage students and create a 'fun' environment." It stated students said Perkins creates a "safe space" for all students. However, it also stated Perkins' humor sometimes caused "unease" among students when "his comments are racial or sexist in nature."
Wausau School District views teacher's behavior as an 'educational opportunity'
In its Wednesday news release, the district said this situation presents an "educational opportunity," and the district would be working with a consultant "to better understand and improve the experiences our students and staff are having in our schools."
Hilts expanded on that statement in a Thursday news release and defended the school district's decision to allow Perkins to return to the classroom.
He admitted that the school fell short of meeting its own expectations for behavior and achievement, and said that both students and teachers sometimes "fall short" and questioned what to do in such situations.
He said "not tolerating" disrespectful behavior means:
We denounce the behavior as not acceptable.
We take action to reinforce district expectations to treat all people with respect.
We engage all parties in learning to ensure we all know how to treat all people with respect.
We monitor situations to ensure everyone is meeting our high expectations.
"When we reject people who do not meet expectations, we foster division," Hilts said.
The district did not respond to questions from the Wausau Daily Herald seeking more information about the "educational opportunity" it will be offering for students and staff following the complaint.
Asian American leaders in the community are 'outraged' by district's actions
Asian American leaders in the community say they are "outraged" by the results of the investigation and the district's actions. In a Thursday news release, they underscored that the community must hold Perkins and the school district accountable.
The conclusion of the investigation, they wrote, "sends a strong message that using racist, sexist, and homophobic slurs are permissible so long as they are made in good faith." This, they said, is unacceptable.
The student who filed the complaint against Perkins told school officials he believes that Perkins' racist and sexist behavior is intentional and part of an ongoing pattern. The willingness of the school district to allow Perkins' behavior, the letter said, demonstrates a lack of protection against protected classes.
"Overall, we are angry, hurt, and worried about the kind of classroom culture East High School tolerates as well as the unacceptably low standards it allows for its teachers," the letter states.
The letter is co-signed by Mary Thao, Maysee Herr, Mang Xiong, Sheng Elizabeth Lor − founder of The Social X Change Project and Yee Leng Xiong.
Natalie Eilbert covers mental health issues for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. She welcomes story tips and feedback. You can reach her at neilbert@gannett.com or view her Twitter profile at @natalie_eilbert. If you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text "Hopeline" to the National Crisis Text Line at 741-741.
This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Wausau East student says teacher directed anti-Asian slurs at him
