KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Tioga Parents Consider Legal Action Against FUSD

Tioga Parents Consider Legal Action Against FUSD

By: Ariana Duarte and Kyra Jenkins

The parents of a 12-year- old Tioga Middle School student, who was exposed to a long list of explicit words by his teacher, say they want answers now.

We would like a thorough investigation by an independent party where the teachers can speak openly and not to their boss," said the student's father, Tim Baber.

The couple says they were in shock when their 7th grader came home from school in August and asked his parents to define a list of dirty words he was given from his teacher during a lesson on profanity.

"Basically, words of slang for sexual acts and they're just really inappropriate," said the boy's mother, Erin Hawkins.

Hawkins says she immediately went to Principal Ray Avila for a copy of the lesson plan, but was denied and told the list was confidential.

The couple eventually obtained the list from a teacher anonymously, but say the school's refusal to come forward with the lesson plan is a direct violation of state and federal laws which state that parents have the right to inspect any instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum.

"We really want to see people held accountable for what has been done, we want action to be taken finally," said Hawkins.

But no action was taken after the couple came to the board with their concerns, expect for a formal apology from the district's superintendent.

"I will say to you now, we made a mistake and we have handled it as a personnel matter, and I apologize to you," said Michael Hanson, Fresno Unified School District Superintendent.

But the Baber's say they're not looking for an apology instead, they want an investigation to make sure a similar mistake never happens again. Without action from the Board of Education, they say they may be forced to take the issue before a judge.

"It's very possible. It may be the only way to light a fire... you know... to get something done," said Baber.