Bonita Geary

I agree. This IS a very important subject; however, the article is so poorly written that it shows disrespect to the subject itself. For example, the former PSU professor's name, Dalton Miller-Jones, was, in at least one paragraph, incorrectly given as "Dalton-Miller." This had me scrolling back through the article looking to see who that was.
Also, NEVER assume that the reader knows what "ODE" is. I finally figured out that it probably means the Oregon Department of Education, but it took me a while.
Additionally, the final paragraph has a ridiculous typo: "It's more important now than never..."? I sure hope the writer wasn't paid for this crap, because whoever paid didn't get much for their money.
Now, to address the subject of the article, I am shocked and stunned that the school district seems so absolutely clueless about how to handle racist behavior, particularly when a student took his own life barely a year ago over bullying. This is unacceptable. Students MUST be taught to respect teachers and other students, period, end of story. Students must be told that they will be respected only if they respect others, and if they are not respectful, there should be serious consequences. This is an absolute minimum as a school district policy, and it's not that difficult of a concept.
My final point: To have a "District Leader" "shadow" a student of color, "aiming to understand their school experience," shows the ultimate in denial and naivete. Wake up, people! At least one student has already died because of the way they were treated at school. You need to focus on PREVENTION, and make sure your students are safe at school. I'm surprised you haven't been sued yet.
Now, for a recommendation: Contact school districts that are full of a diverse group of students and see how they handle this. Research it. This is obviously a life-or-death issue, and it needs to be treated as such by the "district leaders." Quit with the mamby-pamby kool-aid sucking and get busy doing your job.

"What the hell is that? What the hell IS that? What the HELL is that? What the hell is THAT? et al.