Photo: Dierdre Conde, Flickr

Photo: Dierdre Conde, Flickr

After announcing it would pay a $25,000 settlement to a former student who was harassed by two teachers, the Anoka-Hennepin School District is facing heavy criticism from residents in the district and around the state. At issue are two teachers, Diane Cleveland and Walter Filson, who allegedly conspired to harass a 16-year old student over their lunch breaks because they thought he was gay. The student says despite the teachers assumptions, he is, in fact, straight.

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights found enough evidence to suggest the two did conspire and harass the student, but the teachers have faced little or no disciplinary action prompting many to wonder how such vicious taunting by authority figures could go unreprimanded.

“Let me say first that no child should be subject to harassment of any type in our schools — ever. That being said, this is a tough issue and it has been a tough week,” wrote Mary Olson, director of communications for Anoka-Hennepin School, in an email to angry residents that was forwarded to the Minnesota Independent. “I was shocked and saddened when I heard these allegations.”

She believes this was an isolated incident and said that in her 26 years working for the district, this is the first time she’s heard of a case like this.

But what many people want to know: why were these teachers allowed to continue working with students? Jon Tevlin notes in his Monday column at the Star Tribune that many have called for the firing of the teachers: “Since the story broke last week, this newspaper has gotten one letter defending the teachers, and more than 100 saying they should be fired or face stiffer sanctions.”

Olson said that because of state policy, administrators’ hands were tied.

“We have heard from many people who want to know why we did not immediately dismiss the teachers involved in this incident,” she wrote. “It is important to know that state law governs our actions in disciplining teachers. Under the law, teachers who have committed offenses of this type must be given training and the opportunity to improve their work.”

But she did note that the school board is looking into the matter. “Please be assured that are doing everything possible to prevent similar incidents,” she wrote.

The school board meets next on August 24 at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public.