Sacramento schools leader: McClatchy High controversy was not about censorship | Opinion

The Sacramento City Unified School District is committed to ensuring all our students have equitable access to high-quality education in a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment. We are a district that values diversity of people and thought, encourages the free exchange of ideas, and supports the rights of students and staff to have their voices heard - all with deference to the law.

When an issue arises that can cause harm, we act. Such was the case when the C.K. McClatchy student newspaper, The Prospector, published a feature entitled “What did you say?” Student journalists said they intended to share the “weirdest stuff” that students have overheard on campus. One of the quotes listed among their “favorites” was “Hitler’s got some good ideas.”

Opinion

Aware of the current global climate and mindful of the right to a free press, the school’s Principal, Andrea Egan, personally addressed the journalism class the day after the anonymous quote was published. She praised the students for their overall great work. She shared with them that The Prospector has been in publication since the school opened in the 1930s and has a reputation for printing well-researched, thoughtful, and award-winning journalism. She encouraged the students to work to hold themselves accountable to that reputation.

The controversy involving the McClatchy student-run newspaper has never been about censorship or free speech; this was and remains about ensuring the safety of all students and staff, while also addressing a personnel matter. The principal asked the students to reflect, not to retract. While some may characterize it differently, at Sacramento City Unified we call this teaching. Principal Egan has approached this highly sensitive issue through an educator’s lens, and she has guided her school community through this unfortunate ordeal with an extraordinary combination of grace, empathy, and professionalism.

The Sacramento Bee reported the journalism advisor was put on leave. All personnel matters are handled by the SCUSD Human Resources Department and not at the site level. It is SCUSD policy to never comment publicly on personnel matters out of respect for the privacy of our valued staff. While holding firm to our policy, we will share that no action has been taken against an employee or student because of the original comments printed in The Prospector.

It’s time for us to shift this conversation toward healing for the McClatchy community, and Principal Egan has initiated actionable steps toward repair with community and campus leaders. As a district, we will continue to support McClatchy and Principal Egan in her steadfast and unwavering commitment to her students, parents, and staff.

Lavinia Phillips is the Board of Education President for the Sacramento City Unified School District