Three years have passed since Epiphany Kearney suffered racist bullying on an Ithaca school bus, but the anger that the scandal evoked has remained in the hearts and minds of many in the Ithaca community. Ithaca City School District Board of Education members held a press conference yesterday afternoon, making their case to a frustrated crowd that school administrators were taking great efforts to protect minority students. Despite the detailed plans to broaden diversity that school board members described, many audience members walked out unsatisfied.

In 2006, Amelia Kearney filed a complaint with Tompkins County Human Rights Division, claiming that the school district did not act quickly enough to protect her 12-year-old daughter, Epiphany, from bullying on the school bus by a group of boys who called themselves “the rednecks.” We care: Eldred Harris, member of the Ithaca City Board of Education, speaks at a press conference for a discussion of the case of Amelia Kearney v. ICSD.

When district officials stepped in after five months, they took disciplinary actions that resulted in two suspensions and, for one boy, criminal charges.

Ms. Kearney’s complaint provided ammunition for protestors who accused the school board for the lack of sensitivity to issues concerning diversity. Many, including Ithaca’s former mayor Ben Nichols, called for the superintendent’s resignation. Tensions increased at Ithaca High School, where groups of students walked out of class to protest what they saw as instances of inequality in their own institution.

Last May, the Division of Human Rights awarded Kearney and her daughter each $200,000 and ordered that the school district address prejudice in schools. Their celebration was short-lived, however, as ICSD voted to appeal the decision in July. Last week, Hon. Robert Mulvey of the Tompkins County Supreme Court dismissed the case on the basis that the Division of Human Rights does not have authority over public schools.

Kearney and her lawyer announced in a press conference last week that they are not finished making their case in court. The ICSD held its own press conference in an attempt to assure those who sympathize with Kearney that the school board is on their side.

“We want to let everyone know that we actually get it,” said Eldred Harris, a member of the Board of Education.

Each board member in turn assured the worried audience that the board is taking action to prevent future hazing situations.

“A student in our district suffered some harm that we wouldn't wish on any student again, and we’ve taken a lot of steps since then to rectify that,” said Seth Peacock, another member of the Board of Education.

Despite the fact that the Division of Human Rights ruling was overturned, the board followed their recommendation by establishing a four-part initiative following the recommendations. The plan includes an intensive training program for all ICSD employees on how to recognize discrimination and its effects, a new student disciplinary code, an increased number of partnerships with community organizations and an effort to provide students with more diverse teachers.

“The past few years of data indicate that white faculty hovers at around 90 percent,” said Beth Kunz, another Board of Education member. Referring to the retirement last spring of three of the ICSD’s “most respected” black teachers, she invoked the need to increase faculty diversity.

Although board members emphasized positive developments, such as the fact that 369 district teachers have already completed an introductory course in “Undoing Racism,” audience members remained frustrated.

“There’s a whole history to this,” said Allen Lambert, a concerned former board member, who muttered angry comments under his breath throughout the board members’ statements. “They’re treating it as if it starts with the Kearney case," he said.

Lambert, who emphasizes the “unofficial” nature of his work, sees it as his duty to keep track of Board of Education's actions and constantly remind the board of its own decisions. He pointed out that the district has already spent over a quarter of a million dollars on diversity programs like the ones proposed today.

“They’re talking about a strategic plan,” he said. “We already developed a strategic plan in the ’90s. We already have a director of affirmative action.”

Board of Education members seemed equally frustrated, cutting Lambert off in the middle of his tirade because he was commenting rather than asking a question. But when he protested, they reluctantly allowed him to continue.

Eldred Harris, another board member, challenged audience members to have faith in the board’s ability to affect change.

“Will we slog through the mud and muck together?” he asked.

Lambert, for one, plans to stay out of the swamp.

“The school board can’t solve all the problems that come out of society,” he said angrily. “It can’t stop parents, and it can’t stop children.”