Yesterday's meeting follows the March 12 suspension of a teacher for allegedly using racially inappropriate language during a ninth-grade science lesson.

Sierra Jones, 14, said she was in the class when the teacher questioned students about problems they were having at school and which teachers they didn't like. Jones said she told the teacher she didn't like him.

"He said, 'Well, I don't like black people,' " she recalled. "If you don't like black people, don't come into a school that's majority black and teach."

The episode involving Jones followed two others, including Emanuels' displays in two separate classes.

Last September, teacher Nick Georvasilis was placed on leave for using a racial term to refer to a group of students. Georvasilis — who also declined to comment — reportedly singled out a group of black students who were misbehaving and told them to leave the class. He received a written reprimand.

Last May, teacher Brian Emanuels was also reprimanded for using the word "nigger" to make a point to a student. The former Microsoft manager was permitted to return to work, but left before the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the administrators have continued to do nothing to solve the problems. Harwood, the prinicipal, seems to be ignoring the crises. Nor does he appear to be providing leadership in regard to education. According to sources, the school has become more disorganized and students are performing poorly on achievement tests. I will confer with people who know more about education than I do about the situation at Cleveland High School. For now, I will just say 'I told you so.'

Reasonably related

*Emanuels' behavior became an issue.

*Emanuels struck twice.

*Emanuels remained at Cleveland after resigning.

Note: This entry also appeared at Silver Rights.