Gilroy High School Principal James Maxwell apologized Thursday
for his handling of a gym-class spat, a blow that sparked a
parent’s discrimination complaint. After a month-long inquiry,
school officials concluded that Maxwell wasn’t guilty of racism,
and calls to suspend Maxwell and Assistant Principal Maryann Boylan
were
”
unwarranted.
”
Gilroy – Gilroy High School Principal James Maxwell apologized Thursday for his handling of a gym-class spat, a blow that sparked a parent’s discrimination complaint. After a month-long inquiry, school officials concluded that Maxwell wasn’t guilty of racism, and calls to suspend Maxwell and Assistant Principal Maryann Boylan were “unwarranted.”
The dispute began Dec. 7, when 13-year-old Connie Kang said another student struck her head with a metal tennis racket. In the following week, Maxwell dismissed her claims, despite a stack of Kaiser receipts and medical records confirming a concussion. No one saw the incident, and Connie wasn’t visibly injured.
Now, Maxwell says, he jumped to conclusions.
“I realize that when I could not determine with certainty what happened in Connie’s P.E. class … I took the unnecessary step of concluding that nothing happened,” wrote Maxwell.
But parents Kevin and Cathy Kang aren’t satisfied with the written apology. The two say Maxwell belittled their concerns about school violence, and that bigotry is the only logical reason for the principal’s attitude. They plan to appeal the district’s decision not to suspend Maxwell and Boylan, and are seeking an attorney. Kevin Kang says his daughter isn’t safe at Gilroy High, as long as Maxwell is in charge.
“They missed the whole point,” said Kang. “Yes, they said, he jumped to a conclusion – but why did the principal do that? The reason he gave is ridiculous.”
Maxwell told school officials investigating the claim that he didn’t believe Connie’s story because there were no witnesses and no obvious injuries. Though the Kangs supplied medical receipts and records from Kaiser, including one doctor’s diagnosis of an unspecified concussion, Maxwell was skeptical. But “the injury appears to be real,” concluded Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Linda Piceno, the main official handling the complaint.
The accused student is the daughter of a member of the Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Committee: a factor the Kangs say biased Maxwell against their own daughter, a high-achiever who skipped a grade when she first came to Gilroy schools.
“He believed the [other] student was being falsely accused and he had a responsibility to shield her from unfounded accusations,” concluded Piceno. “I can find no evidence of racial discrimination in his conclusion.”
As a “recommended resolution,” Piceno suggested that the Kangs be allowed to meet with Assistant Principals, rather than Maxwell, in the future, as “the professional relationship between [the Kangs] and Principal Maxwell has obviously been damaged.” If Connie Kang needs to meet with the Principal, she can bring in her Academic Coordinator as well. Piceno also offered to facilitate a meeting between the Kangs and Maxwell; Kevin Kang said he wasn’t interested.
The Kangs have until Jan. 25 to respond to Piceno’s findings. If they reject Piceno’s plan – and Kevin Kang says they will – the issue will go to a closed-session school board meeting Feb. 15.
The incident has attracted wider media attention: Kevin Kang was recently interviewed by KTSF, a San Francisco-based TV station aimed at Asian-American viewers. Reporters from the San Jose Mercury News have also contacted the family.
Maxwell declined comment Friday.
“I just want to move on,” he said.
Emily Alpert covers public safety issues for The Dispatch. She can be reached at 847-7158, or at ea*****@************ch.com.
