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A Tulsa charter school is facing accusations of racial abuse.
During a news conference on Thursday (November 2), Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education member Dr. Jennettie Marshall called out claims of racism and bullying at Tulsa Honor Academy from "around 15 parents and five teachers." Some of the claims included staff taking disproportionate discipline against Black students.
"This is not acceptable, and we will not sit and allow our voices to be silenced," Marshall said.
One of the parents behind the claims includes Shari Alspach, who said her son, Kayden Matthews, was subjected to racist language and bullying at Tulsa Honor Academy. The abuse got so bad that she unrolled her son earlier this week.
Marshall initially spoke out about the allegations on Monday (October 30) before the TPS Board of Education voted to renew the charter school's contract. Marshall and fellow board member Dr. Jerry Griffin were the only two who voted against renewing Tulsa Honor Academy's contract with the district.
Elsie Urueta Pollack, the charter school's CEO, addressed the allegations in a statement to 2News.
"Tulsa Honor Academy is aware of reported incidents of the use of racial slurs by scholars. The use of hate speech and racial slurs goes against Tulsa Honor Academy’s values and beliefs," Pollack said. "While we have taken many steps to address these racial incidents, we know that this is an ongoing effort. This issue must be addressed at school, at home, and in our broader community."
"Our School Culture Improvement Plan, which began in January of 2023, outlines THA’s plan to continue addressing these issues, which includes a partnership with the Restorative Justice Institute of Oklahoma. Prior to the majority’s vote to renew THA High School’s charter agreement on Monday, October 30, Tulsa Honor Academy shared the steps taken to address the racial incidents thus far and our plan moving forward," she added.
Marshall said she still seeks to have the school's contract terminated.
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