Sept. 30, 2020  Investigation of Haslett High School 
 
This report details our purpose, findings and recommendations into 
allegations of racism against Haslett High School.    
Education committee 
 

Education committee 
I​NVESTIGATION​ ​OF​ H​ASLETT​ H​IGH​ S​CHOOL 

​ F​ F​ INDINGS 
SUMMARY​ O
 
It is our belief that Haslett High School should undertake additional staff training to ensure that the

complaints of students regarding bullying and racial or ethnic harassment are understood, properly

investigated and appropriate discipline used to provide for a safe learning environment. Furthermore,

both parents have expressed a desire to assist the school in dealing with potentially racist activity by

students and staff.

RECOMMENDATIONS 
 
T​HIS​ ​REPORT​ ​CONTAINS​ ​SEVEN​ ​RECOMMENDATIONS​. TH​E​ B​RANCH​ ​STANDS​ ​READY​ ​TO​ ​ASSIST​ ​HASLETT​ ​HIGH​ ​SCHOOL​ ​AND​ ​THE​ ​HASLETT 
SCHOOL​ B​ OARD​ I​ N​ T​ HEIR​ I​ MPLEMENTATION​.  

Recommendation 1: Code of Conduct

That the Code of Conduct be amended to include language that whenever a student is faced with

possible disciplinary action that could lead to suspension, expulsion, or possible law enforcement

involvement, no questioning of that student by teachers, staff, or administrators shall take place without

a parent, guardian or student advocate being present.

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Recommendation 2: Code of Conduct​ - Detention, Expulsion and Suspension

Item 1 Due Process Rights – reads that “Before a student may be suspended or expelled from school,

there are specific procedures that must be followed.” It is recommended that the Code clearly state what

those procedures are and where they are found.

Recommendation 3: Code of Conduct​ - Expulsion Procedure

Item c of the Expulsion Procedure reads “A parent may be present at the hearing.” It is recommended

that the language be revised to “A parent SHALL be present at the hearing.” It is our belief that this

change will help ensure the student’s due process rights.

Recommendation 4: Student Advocacy

Students facing expulsion or suspension should be provided with an opportunity to contact someone,

either a parent or guardian before questioning. If no one is available the student should be provided with

the number of the Student Advocacy Center of Michigan 1-888-688-1916 or (734) 482-0489 for

assistance. This will help prevent an unconscious intimidation factor that occurs when a student is

confronted by an authority figure in a confined space, such as the principal’s office.

Recommendation 5: Staff and Student Training

That the school invite for discussion and training the META Peace Team (201 W. Miller Rd. Lansing,

MI 48911 Phone (517) 303-0116) to facilitate training in nonviolence and the development of other

means to address bias.

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Recommendation 6: Staff and Student Training

That the school take advantage of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance resources,

(​www.tolerance.org​) which are provided at no-cost. These include ​Responding to Hate and Bias at

​ earn what to do, before, during and after a crisis. Establishing protocols at the beginning of the
School: L

school year helps increase administrators’ and teachers’ confidence that they’ll be able to effectively

address incidents and alleviate tension. ​Speak up at School: Helps educators respond to prejudice, bias

and stereotypes every day in the classroom. ​Civil Discourse in the Classroom: ​Lays the groundwork for

taking on controversial topics and encouraging civil discourse. ​Let’s Talk: Provide strategies to facilitate

discussions that might elicit strong emotions. ​Social Justice Standards: Guides educators to create a

community where all students can thrive in the engagement of anti-bias education. ​Critical Practices for

Anti-Bias Education: Ensures teachers can improve academic outcomes by building intergroup

awareness, encouraging students to speak out against bias and injustice.

Recommendation 7: Ok2Say

It became apparent during the investigation that students are reluctant to use or think of the Ok2Say

process “as a joke”. Therefore it appears to be seldom used. Therefore, in addition to face to face

reporting and Ok2Say, the school should consider devising another means for students to report

inappropriate behavior.  

​ OMMITTEE​
EDUCATION​ C P​URPOSE 
 
The NAACP works to ensure that every disadvantaged student and student of color graduates ready for

college or a career by ensuring access to great teaching, fair discipline, equitable resources and a

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challenging curriculum. We are dedicated to eliminating the severe racial inequities that continue to

plague

our education system. Our ultimate goal is that every student of color receives a quality public education

that prepares him or her to be a contributing member of society.

To achieve these goals, the Education Committee of the national board, in concert with education chairs

and leaders from across the Association, have settled upon a four-prong strategy to improve educational

achievement for disadvantaged students:

● Increasing Resource Equity: Target funds to neediest kids

● Ensuring College & Career Readiness: A path to success after graduation for all students
● Improving Teaching: Growing our own great teachers now in underserved communities
● Improving Discipline: Eliminate zero tolerance; keep kids in school  

A key element in achieving these goals is the investigation of racism allegations, bullying and other

barriers to achieving a high quality education. These investigations are started once a formal written

complaint is submitted to the Branch office.

Investigative process 
 
On May 15, 2018 the Branch received a complaint from Melissa Herrst alleging racial harassment and

unequal treatment of her son Synkhoa Tran at Haslett High School. Tran is biracial. Her son had been

taken to the office after an incident in the cafeteria involving him and a female student. The school

accused her son of threatening another student with a knife. During the school’s investigation it was

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learned that a knife had not been used but a pencil; and Tran was defending his girlfriend from the

bullying by the other female student. At no point was anyone harmed.

During the school’s investigation it was learned that Tran had a multi-purpose tool which included a

non-functioning knife. Due to the fact that a non-functioning knife was brought to school, it was

determined that Tran was in violation of school policy and he was suspended for ten days. The

complaint filed on behalf of Synkhoa Tran was based on the treatment he received while suspended.

During Tran’s suspension Ms. Herrst experienced difficulty obtaining his school work.

Due to the nature of the incident the Committee did not undertake a review of whether a weapon had

been brought to school or if the suspension was justified; instead, we looked at how Tran was treated

during his suspension. We questioned why he was not receiving his assignments and how was he being

treated by staff. Additionally, why was he held in the office and questioned by administrators and law

enforcement without an advocate or parent/guardian present.

A formal notice of the allegations against the high school was sent in May 2018 with meetings being

held throughout the rest of the year and into December 2019. Questions were continually raised

regarding the schools ability to assist students on detention and the possible refusal of teachers or the

administration to assist in Tran receiving his work. The school insisted that he was being provided

assignments and if there were any issues they would investigate and correct possible problems. A

meeting was held between Ms. Herrst and the school and despite Ms. Herrst’s continued anger at the

treatment of her son, she did want to work with the school to resolve the problems.

On October 2, 2018 a second complaint was filed by Ms. Mindy Evans on behalf of her daughter

Brianna. In this case, Brianna Evans, experienced sexual and racial harassment which lead to an

atmosphere that was not conducive to effective learning, ultimately causing her to transfer. Ms. Evans,

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who is bi-racial, was mocked for her skin color, and was taunted with name calling both at school and

on the bus. This name calling included use of the “N” word. References to “monkeys” and name calling

followed her throughout high school.

It is important to note that the problem began in the 8​th grade and even took place at an after school job

that included two male students from Haslett. Due to these activities, Miss Evans felt unsafe walking to

and from school and participating on the dance team.

These issues were raised with the school by Ms. Evans and an attempt was made to resolve them

however; in that attempt, Miss Evans felt that she had been singled out by the administrative staff which

approached her both within the classroom and in hallways to inquire about her well-being. These

attempts made her uncomfortable and singled her out to other students. A meeting was held between the

Evans family and the school in an attempt to further clarify the issues and hopefully resolve any

lingering problems. It should be noted that by this time Miss Evans had already transferred.

In an unrelated incident, the parent, Ms. Mindy Evans, videoed a swastika drawn in the snow on the car

of a Haslett coach. In the video the coach can be heard laughing. The coach denies any wrong doing and

disputes that it is his voice and car in the video. The school investigated and found no wrong doing on

the part of the coach.

CONCLUSION

The Committee did discovery weaknesses with the Haslett High School Code of Conduct. These are

addressed fully in the Recommendations. These weaknesses include not allowing the parent of the

harassed student, to explain the problem to the alleged perpetrators and their parents and or guardians. A

teaching moment may include the ability of the victim of harassment to explain their concerns in a

controlled situation. Secondly, the questioning students without an advocate or parent/guardian present,

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especially in situations that involve possible suspension or law enforcement activity, should not occur or

be limited at best. Language in the Code of Conduct needs to be changed to read that a parent shall be

involved instead of may be involved. Furthermore, school due process procedures need to be clearly

explained. Finally, the Committee believes additional training is needed for both staff, administrators

and students to recognize and curtail racial and sexual harassment.

Acknowledgements 

The Committee would like to acknowledge the cooperation of Ms. Melissa Herrst, Ms. Mindy Evans

and Miss Brianna Evans, Haslet High School principal Bart Wegenke, its staff, and attorney Rob

Deitzel.

Questions regarding this document can be addressed to:

Randy Watkins, First Vice President

Lansing Branch, NAACP
3105 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd #141
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone (517) 484-9171
Email [email protected] 

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