ADOPTED - JANUARY 22, 2002

Agenda Item No. 7

Introduced by the Administrative Services/Personnel Committee of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING INGHAM COUNTY SCHOOL OFFICIALS TO TAKE A PROACTIVE MEASURE TO REVIEW POLICIES TO DETER OR PREVENT HATE SPEECH, HARASSMENT AND ETHNIC INTIMIDATION IN AREA SCHOOLS AND AT SPORTING EVENTS AND EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

RESOLUTION #02-006

WHEREAS, on December 14, 2001, Grand Ledge High School hosted a junior varsity and varsity basketball game between Grand Ledge and Lansing Eastern High School; and

WHEREAS, during both games, an incident occurred where a large number of Grand Ledge High School students verbally harassed and taunted Lansing Eastern High School players and students with racial epithets and hate speech; and

WHEREAS, it is a well known fact that hate speech, ethnic intimidation and harassment all too often lead to violence and should never be tolerated.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby go on record denouncing hate speech, harassment and ethnic intimidation and encourage parties involved in this incident to seek fair and proper justice for all the victims and change school policies to ensure that future incidents are prevented with substantial sanctions adopted as a deterrent.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all school districts are encouraged to learn from this incident and take a proactive measure to review their policies and incorporate any necessary and appropriate changes to deter or prevent a similar incident.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners commends the Superintendent of the Lansing School District for taking positive action to remedy this situation and thanks the Superintendent of the Grand Ledge School District for expressing remorse on behalf of the students and faculty of the Grand Ledge Public Schools.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board extends its appreciation to the Lansing Area Chicano/Latino Community and the Xicano Development Center for bringing the issue to the forefront so that there may be a substantial change in critical policies that will improve the quality of education and cultural understanding for all of our young people.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Clerk forward a copy of this resolution to all of the school districts within Ingham County, the Xicano Development Center and the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES/PERSONNEL: Yeas: Swope, Lynch, De Leon, Celentino, Severino Nays: None Absent: None Approved 1/15/02