ACLU Suing Newport-Mesa Schools Over "Rent" Debacle
MOVING UP AND UPDATING WITH DISTRICT REACTION, MORE BACKGROUND.
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Newport-Mesa Unified School District officials say they were attempting to resolve a complaint stemming from the staging, cancellation and re-staging of the musical Rent at Corona del Mar High School when they learned today the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California was suing the public school system.
The ACLU announced this morning its suit against the district and Corona del Mar High officials "for permitting and sanctioning an atmosphere that is hostile to female, lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender students in general, and has led to despicable threats of violence against one student in particular."
An unidentified female student involved in the production of Rent was allegedly the target of rape and death threats by male students amid an atmosphere of homophobia on the campus that the district has done little to squlech, charges the ACLU. Newport-Mesa Superintendent Jeffrey Hubbard, Corona del Mar High School principal Fal Asrani and a vice principal are named in the lawsuit that was filed in Orange County Superior Court.
Legal counsel for the human rights organization contacted Hubbard on
March 13 "alleging discrimination and harassment with respect to one
student at Corona del Mar High School," confirms a statement the
district issued in response to suit. "The district will still attempt
to resolve this matter with the
plaintiffs and their attorneys. A review of the lawsuit indicates that
there are numerous factual errors and mistakes."
It nevertheless goes on to quote Hubbard saying, "These allegations
are very serious and the district will utilize its best efforts to
ascertain the truth of these matters, as well as to be sure there are
procedures in place to allow prompt resolution of any and all disputes
regarding discrimination and harassment."
Rent, which is a modern re-telling of Giacomo Puccini's La Boheme with new music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson,
follows impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to live in
New York City's Lower East Side. Some characters are gay and some are
HIV-infected. Rent was a monster success on Broadway, where it remains one of the longest-running plays.
Drama teacher Ron Martin
has said he chose to present the rock opera because of homophobic
comments he's been hearing around CdM High. But after it was
announced in February to be the next spring production, Asrani canceled
it. Martin says Asrani told him she objected to "prostitution and
homosexuality" in the show, something Asrani denied when confronted
with the statement. The principal explained part of her job is to review
and approve scripts, and when Martin did not provide one, she pulled the plug.
That
move drew widespread condemnation, with the story getting reported all
across the country. Asrani said in the meantime Martin did produce a
script for what is a toned-down, high school-friendly version of the
musical. She approved it and the show is set to go on April 23.
"The homophobic harassment and bullying at the school unfortunately typify a rise in hostility toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students throughout California in the wake of the diverse campaign over Proposition 8," states the ACLU's announcement.
The suit alleges that sexist and homophobic comments are common at the school, and that school officials have done little in response. As part of its proof of the latter is the brief cancellation of Rent and CdM security officers cracking down on students who wore rainbow-colored buttons in support of the production.
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Brad Fraser says:
Good job California. This is where your hate takes you. I hope the school is bankrupted and the homophobes end up broke and in jail.
Posted on Wednesday, Mar. 18 2009 @ 3:51PM
allison says:
yes, even the deepest South has rained in their rednecks. alas, state sponsored bigotry is alive and well in the OC! there is not one among us that did not know what the "Vote Yes on 8" signs peppering our public areas meant: we hate gays! and we are surprised our children have internalized the message? we are surprised they are acting out our hate? really folks, How do you feed yourselves?
Posted on Wednesday, Mar. 18 2009 @ 10:35PM
Parent@CDM says:
My child - who is not female, lesbian, bisexual, gay or transgender (at least as far as I know) has complained repeatedly about the hostile environment at CDM. When the leader is a bully, why should anyone be surprised we have an atmosphere of bullying and intimidation? The Asrani regime hurts all of our kids, football players included. Meanwhile, the PTA announced yesterday that Ms. Asrani will receive an Honorary Service Award for "extraordinary efforts for the children and youth of the CDM High School"..No joke, this award will be given on April Fool's Day at 9:30 in the Small Gym. Her cadre of parasites will give her a standing ovation. Does the District really wants to "ascertain the truth"? They'll have to look beyond this blind allegiance.
Posted on Thursday, Mar. 19 2009 @ 11:21AM
AnotherCDMParent says:
We need to organize a critical mass of parents to attend the PTA's April Fool's ceremony. Fal Asrani should absolutely not be given any kind of award for what has happened to the culture at CdM under her watch; I am outraged!!
Posted on Thursday, Mar. 19 2009 @ 4:35PM
Parent@CDM says:
I know other parents who are also outraged. Unfortunately, most are intimidated by the retaliation that Ms. Asrani is capable of.
Posted on Thursday, Mar. 19 2009 @ 5:07PM
name withheld says:
The problems under the leadership of Fal Asrani have been repeatedly overlooked. The allegations over the play and the student video on facebook are not the first problems. It is about time her actions have garnered media attention so that NMUSD is forced to give this proper attention. CDM is a healthy environment for learning and is a tolerant community despite the few bad apples in the news (I.e. The students in the video). Students, staff and teachers actively support tolerance and acceptance of all people on campus. It is a shame that the media attention has not acknowledged that and placed focus solely on the actions of Ms.Asrani.
NMUSD has turned the other way as Asrani has changed grades, cut programs when they aren't "AP", targeted outspoken teachers, inacted punishments for students that are inconsistent, appointed personel to positions that should have been open to an application process and overall damaged the once wonderful spirit and atmosphere of CDM. She is a bully and the evidence to support that goes on and on. This is not the first time these boys in the video have caused trouble but Fal has chosen to not deal with them harshly in the past and therefore their actions have gotten worse. Nor is this the first time she has made decisions based on her personal feelings and not the facts. Bestowing such an award on Fal is a joke. Immediate action to stop such a farse is required.
Posted on Friday, Mar. 20 2009 @ 12:27PM
parent says:
fal azrani supported diversity in school
the rent show did not go on because the drama teacher did not meet the dead line she presented him with
Posted on Friday, Mar. 20 2009 @ 2:40PM
student at cdm says:
you are all prejudice
the news is talking about crap
fal asrani supported diversity in this school
and i know because i am a student at CdM
in advance to this play being official she gave the drama teacher a deadline the present the whole idea of the play, the teacher did not preform his possible deadline and therefore it didnt proceed
Posted on Friday, Mar. 20 2009 @ 2:48PM
Parent@CDM says:
The April Fool's Day award is small town politics...those seeking favors will stand behind Ms. Asrani to the finish. It's a case of cognitive dissonance...someone should give her a copy of "Mistakes Were Made (but not by me). As things start to fall apart they will increase efforts to justify her bad decisions and hurtful acts. It's easier to see the hypocrisy from outside the situation. The ACLU probably doesn't need to create some new gay awareness program because the majority of teachers, students, and parents are tolerant people appalled by this situation. Let's not get all confused an blame this on the kids who made the video. It's time for Fal to move on...
Posted on Friday, Mar. 20 2009 @ 5:47PM
CDM Employee says:
The drama teacher may or may not have met a deadline given to him BUT you are wrong to say she supports diversity. Perhaps on the surface it would appear that way - what principal would openly proclaim otherwise. However, as a student or parent you may not be aware of what has been swept under the carpet or happened behind closed doors. There are incidents where diversity has been an issue amongst many other things. This is a complex issue that goes well beyond a school play or facebook video.
Posted on Friday, Mar. 20 2009 @ 6:56PM
Parent@CDM says:
CDM Employee - thanks for speaking up. The truth needs to come out. I'll bet what has been swept under the carpet or discussed behind closed doors would result in dramatic changes in the administration. When we don't really know what has gone on it's natural to assume the worst, especially when we've had a glimmer of what Fal is capable of.
Posted on Friday, Mar. 20 2009 @ 7:53PM
FisherKing says:
student at cdm: Asrani has been at CdM for almost four years. People aren't pre-judging her, they're reacting to the mounting list of things she's done, mostly in her own interest and often at the expense of the teachers and students.
You find the accusations against her absurd. I find it absurd that things had to go this far before the numerous complaints about her could be taken seriously.
Posted on Thursday, Mar. 26 2009 @ 9:24PM