Ann Arbor counselor calls Muslim student a 'terrorist'
- A school counselor at Tappan Middle School referred to a Palestinian student as a 'terrorist' during a conversation in November 2023.
- The student's family filed a complaint with the school, which was dismissed, leading to a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights.
- The investigation found the school district non-compliant with civil rights regulations, resulting in mandated support for the student and a climate assessment.
In November 2023, a school counselor at Tappan Middle School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, referred to a Palestinian student as a 'terrorist' during a conversation in her office. This incident occurred when the student requested to leave for a drink of water. Following the incident, the student's family filed a complaint with the school and the board of education, but their concerns were dismissed as an employment issue. The family, represented by attorney Amy V. Doukoure from the Council on American-Islamic Relations Michigan Chapter, expressed devastation over the situation, noting that the student felt uncomfortable attending school and experienced retaliation after making the complaint. In December, CAIR-MI filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights (OCR). An investigation revealed that the school district failed to comply with Title VI regulations regarding civil rights complaints. As a result, the OCR mandated that the district provide necessary resources for the student and conduct a climate assessment to identify any racially hostile environments within the schools. The Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) issued a statement affirming their commitment to combating racism and discrimination, while Doukoure indicated that the family was satisfied with the outcome, seeking acknowledgment of the mishandling of the situation and ensuring their child's safety in the school environment.