Recently, a student at a Clovis Unified school made a racist post on their social media account. CUSD's only response thus far has been sending an email to students and parents, warning them to "be smart on social media"; the student has gone unpunished. This is not an isolated incident, and is unfortunately one of many instances where the district has had the ability to discipline a student for blatant racism and failed to so.

For so many children, school isn't just a place to learn and socialize with their peers; it's necessary shelter from an unsafe home and family, it's the only time in a day that they eat a hot meal, and it should be a place where they feel surrounded by adults who will keep them safe. As long as these issues aren't addressed, school cannot be that safe place.

CUSD currently has a zero-tolerance policy in place, meaning an immediate suspension and discretionary expulsion for anyone who breaks it. Policies like these have been proven to be harmful, as they force out students who need the most guidance and rehabilitation, and don't address the root of the conflict. As they are discretionary, they also tend to disproportionately affect black students and other minorities.

Racism will always have a home in Clovis as long as Clovis Unified continues to ignore the racism in its schools. It's happening in front of educators who do nothing, and when it is reported the offenders go unpunished time and time again. CUSD must reform it's disciplinary system, including ending the use of suspension and expulsion as a form of discipline expect for repeat or serious offenses, and abolishing the zero-tolerance policy which leads to racial disparities in discipline.