Santa Barbara Unified reports 3 more racial Incidents

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.- School is out, but Santa Barbara Unified School District board members say there is still work to do.

At its Tuesday night meeting, board members received the latest Racial Incidents Report presented by the executive cabinet.

Superintendent Hilda Maldonado said, "There were three additional incidents since we last reported to the board, they continue to be around name-calling. That seems to be the biggest issue that we are seeing across all our schools."

She said principals are reporting each incident.

"We are starting to see our school principals and administrators really taking the students aside and really getting into deep conversations."

Since March, the board has become aware of at least a dozen race-related incidents ranging from racially charged language to violence.

A working group was created to look into the issue.

By coincidence, public comments on Tuesday night included a year-end summary of a non-profit organization called AHA!

Students said AHA! programs including Peace Builders have helped them improve their attitudes.

AHA! was created after the Columbine shootings in Colorado decades ago and its leaders said they are trying to help children with anxiety and depression so they won't feel alone or act out with violence.

For more information visit ahasb.org