May 2022 

Dear Superintendent Aguilar and West Campus Principal McMeekin,

In reference to West Campus Assistant Principal Versher’s resignation letter dated May 18, 2022, we are writing to call for your action in response to the racial discrimination and sexual harassment that Dr. Versher has had to endure. We are sad and disheartened to hear of her resignation.

While Dr. Versher’s claims have not been resolved in the ongoing investigation, the fact that these multiple incidents from years, not months, past have not been resolved is deeply concerning. In addition, there is little question that harm has been done to Dr. Versheer and the West Campus community. 

Words and support of staff and students of diverse linguistic, cultural, racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual orientation backgrounds do not suffice. West Campus High School, SCUSD, and the community must take action in eliminating and preventing this discrimination and harassment. 

As students, staff, parents, and members of the community, we call on you to:

Work with the Black community to create a course of action to address many levels of racism at West Campus; 
Proactively amplify and center the voices of students and Black community voices in addressing these issues, generating solutions, and repairing harm; 
Seriously and immediately take action on these multiple complaints – from racial discrimination to sexual harassment;
Address the issues of racial discrimination and sexual harassment with the community in a proactive way;
Support the establishment of an accountability board or committee at West Campus High School with the goal of pursuing racial equity in access and outcomes; and,
Support the establishment of a culturally inclusive education committee at West Campus High School.

Whatever the outcome of the investigation of Dr. Versher’s case, we believe that the above actions are critical. As we repair these harms so we can move to a place of healing as a community after the November 2021 and other hate incidents at West Campus, we must be vigilant about maintaining safe, respectful, and nondiscriminatory learning environments for all students and staff in our schools and institutions. We expect that as leaders, you will ensure that SCUSD staff and young people are not subjected to discrimination or harassment based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, sovereignty, language, etc. We must have and support a system that proactively and fairly intervenes to ensure the physical, mental, and emotional safety of all students and staff. 

Together, we can ensure that our district’s students and staff, if they do experience discrimination or harassment, will feel safe and supported and that the issues will be addressed. Succeeding in this effort is absolutely critical to the well-being of our school community.

Sincerely,

Students, Staff, Parents, and Community Members

Eric Guerra      

Sacramento City Council Member District 6