Iao principal
apologizes for
racial harassment

Ayson tells students of
her shame and outrage over
a student's complaint

By mary Adamski
Star-Bulletin

Iao Intermediate School Principal Elizabeth Ayson has apologized publicly to the African-American student who filed a federal complaint about racial harassment at the Maui school.

"I feel shame because this happened at our school. I feel outrage because some of our students are mean and uncaring," Ayson said in a message broadcast yesterday to the entire student body. "I feel frustration because I cannot fix this problem by myself immediately."

Ayson said the complaint made about racial attacks is true.

On Monday, the complaint by Shelly Knox on behalf of her son, eighth-grader Philliep Knox, 14, was filed with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights by the American Civil Liberties Union and the African American Lawyers Association.

The complaint charged that Philliep, who entered the school in September, has been punched and shoved by students and that students have shouted racial slurs at him daily.

Ayson said earlier that the school had investigated four reported incidents and had suspend

ed a student for a day for shouting a racial slur at Shelly Knox when she walked on the campus.

"I would like to make a public apology to Philliep Knox and his mother, Shelly, for the pain and suffering caused you by some of our students," she said.

"I hope you will accept this apology and forgive those students who have hurt you. I hope your future days at our school will be better ones, and I pledge my best effort to help and support your adjustment to our school."

She told students not to make racial insults or physical attacks. She advised them to tell an adult if they hear or see a racial problem and to "always help the victim of racial harassment."