Re-1 takes steps in response to 'gypsies' remark

Re-1 takes steps in response to 'gypsies' remark

December 20, 2001

by Aspen C. Emmett
Journal Staff Writer

The Re-1 school board has broken its silence about the district’s response to a controversial comment made by Montezuma-Cortez High School Principal Mark Rappe.

At the Re-1 school-board meeting Tuesday night, Superintendent Bill Thompson told the audience a task force has been put in place to improve the school’s climate by capitalizing on diversity, with everything from staff training to cultural activities and courses.

Additionally, Thompson said Rappe attended a seminar last week aimed at enhancing relations with Native American students.

"The topics centered on Navajo teachings, organizing management and leadership styles for Navajo student development; language and cultural patterns that affect learning styles of Navajo children, and Navajo concepts of cognitive and social development," Thompson told the audience.

In mid-October, Rappe reportedly used the term "Navajo gypsies" while discussing mobility issues and low CSAP scores at a faculty meeting. A week later he made a school-wide apology.

However, a student-organized group charged that the school district had ignored the issue and failed to take satisfactory disciplinary action. The student group, now recognized by MCHS as the Native American Club, addressed the school board at the past three board meetings.

The students and several parents returned Tuesday evening to hear the board’s recommendations.

"In my mind, I recommend to the board that they allow the natural evaluation process of personnel in determining the outcome," he said of Rappe’s employment.

Thompson said renewal evaluations are done on a yearly basis in April or May.

Board president Steve Hinton said that the process, though unpleasant, had been beneficial for everyone involved.

"It’s unfortunate that something negative has to happen to get us all off our duffs," Hinton said. "We need to all focus and work together to make MCHS as productive and as safe and congenial and as happy as we can make it be. Our eyes have been opened. . . and it’s going to be a better place because of a bad incident."

Despite the district’s actions, some parents said more should be done, including an inspection by the U.S. Office of Civil Rights.

"There’s been no resolution," said Clyde Benally after Hinton had spoken.

Benally said Rappe should have apologized personally to each of the students, the parents, the tribes and community at large rather than maintaining his silence.

"But none of that happened and it just dragged on to this point," Benally told the board. "Now the Native American parents are angry. We want him (Rappe) released — dismissed.

"We’ve been all too patient with the board of education — I have a feeling those days are over. We’re tired. Our strategy now is to tap the legal muscles of the Navajo Nation and of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe."

Benally said the Montezuma-Cortez School District should undergo the same scrutiny other school systems have.

"La Plata and San Juan County went through it and now they have a higher level of compliance," he said. "We have asked United States Office of Civil Rights to go through the school system with a fine-toothed comb. This effort will not only focus on the incident we’re talking about here and the principal in question.

"We’ll be looking at policies; we’ll be looking at Native American teaching positions — if they’re there or not. And I’m sure we’ll be looking at a very strict code of conduct to ensure that this type of thing does not happen again."

Benally said he had spoken with Colorado Department of Education officials, who made the suggestion.

"The best remedy that we have is to approach the Office of Civil Liberties and have them come out. . . then I think we’ll be in unison, at least in this particular respect."