The Letter Sent to all of the Clover Park School Board Members:
I am writing once again to discuss blatant bigotry and racism within the Clover Park School Board.
On Monday, December 14, 2020, Paul Wagemann commented, "crack the whip" while referring to students not graduating within the 70% no-white school district. Monday was not the first time Paul has made bigoted comments while sitting in a power position at the school board meeting; this makes him a racist. However, this was the first time the board president publicly called him out. After which Paul replied, he knew what the comment meant, and he meant what he said. This school year, I have written letters about a teacher showing a video created by a far-right group on immigration that is racist, to showing another video by the same group two weeks later about religion, and now I am writing to you once again about a school board member who is an explicit racist.
I am demanding resignation from Paul Wagemann effective immediately. The Clover Park School Board cannot tell the community that they are working towards racial equity and require their staff to be culturally competent when a board member who can vote on policies that affect black and brown students within the district is a blatant racist. Paul maintaining his seat on the board, contradicts the Clover Park School District's claims that racism and bigotry are not tolerated within the Clover Park School District. Paul is a considerable liability and puts the Clover Park school district at risk.
I am asking that you all stand with me in calling that Paul Wagemann resigns and that you fill his seat with a culturally competent person who has all the children of the Clover Park School District in mind and understands that the only way to address the disparities in the education system is to change the culture and the status quo.
Racism is a dominant force in the Clover Park school district, and It's time for that to change.
Sincerely,
Taniesha Lyons
Community Advocate
