Coronado nonprofit InclusioNado says the school district does not appear to have an effective structure or supportive culture to reduce racial harm or respond to students seeking help.

The volunteer-run 501(c)(3) published a letter to the editor in The Coronado News on Friday, Oct. 30, four days before the Nov. 3 election in which four candidates are competing for three seats on the Coronado Unified School District board of trustees.

"It saddens us that CUSD does not appear to have an effective structure and supportive culture that reduces this harm or addresses students' cries for help," the group wrote.

InclusioNado said it was responding to articles by Coronado High School students Cailey Song and Edie Alicandri, who wrote about racial and ethnic harassment on campus in the school newspaper, the Islander Times. Song, an Asian American student, and Alicandri, a Jewish student, both described incidents of racism from peers, according to Coronado Times coverage published Oct. 18.

The letter placed those articles in a longer history. InclusioNado wrote that for more than a decade, CUSD students have spoken up about racism through marches, protests, board meetings, lawsuits and reports to authorities. For six years, students and parents have reached out to InclusioNado directly with similar stories, the group said.

"Once again, we ask the community to stay aware, to keep learning, and to ensure our elected officials and CUSD hear students' voices and take action," the letter stated.

Board responded to student articles Oct. 15

The student articles had already prompted a district response. At the CUSD board meeting on Oct. 15, CHS Principal Karin Mellina said she met with the Associated Student Body and asked members to read the pieces, the Coronado Times reported.

She described the result: "I asked them how many had heard something derogatory or racist. And every hand went up. Then I asked, how many of you feel comfortable stepping in? And not many hands went up."

Trustee Alexia Palacios-Peters said neither student who wrote the articles had reported the behaviors to the district. She separately urged families to use the district's anonymous WeTip reporting system. Superintendent Karl Mueller said the WeTip QR code is posted throughout campuses and sent to parents in a weekly newsletter.

Election and other responses

Peggy Duncan, Palacios-Peters, Kaye Schneider and Mal Sandie are competing for three open seats on the board, with terms beginning Dec. 11, according to The Coronado News. The district plans to swear in newly elected members Dec. 15.

A separate letter published Oct. 26 in the Coronado Eagle & Journal, titled "Our Students Deserve Better," commended the students as courageous. The unnamed author, who identified as a school board candidate with Juvenile Court experience, called for clearer disciplinary policies with meaningful consequences.

InclusioNado was founded after a parent-organized march on June 13, 2020, at which CUSD students and alumni spoke about their experiences. Its board is led by president Tendayi Gentile, a parent of three children, two of whom attend CUSD schools.

Vote centers, ballot drop boxes and the San Diego County Registrar of Voters office open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.