LOCAL

Records: Holt Public Schools reassign one staffer, terminate another after altercation

Krystal Nurse
Lansing State Journal

Correction: Holt Public Schools' investigation found that a staffer used used inappropriate communication but did not mention a racial slur. An earlier version of the story was incorrect. The story also misspelled the name of communications firm Byrum & Fisk. The version below has been updated.

HOLT — Holt Public Schools reassigned one staffer and terminated the contract of another following an investigation of a confrontation between the employees and a group of Black students in the cafeteria at Holt High School.

In response to a Lansing State Journal request made under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, the district furnished records Wednesday that named Megan Rodriguez as the employee who will be assigned to a different location and Sandra Smith as the worker who was terminated as of May 3. District officials found that Smith had violated misconduct and de-escalation procedures.

On April 4, Smith and Rodriguez got into a verbal-turned physical argument with a group of students during a lunch period. In an April interview, sophomore Joy Williams said tensions flared after one staffer used an anti-Black slur against the group of Black students. 

The district's report found that Smith used inappropriate communication but it did not make mention of the slur.

The month-long investigation included reviews of video surveillance, input from multiple witnesses and those involved, Holt Public School's board policies and the district's code of conduct.

The school district denied a request for records regarding investigations of students involved, citing the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. 

In a statement emailed to the State Journal by communications firm Byrum & Fisk, Superintendent David Hornak said the district will not comment further on the investigation and that details and outcomes were shared with all involved. 

From April:Holt cafeteria workers on administrative leave after scuffle with students Monday

The records show that Erin Quinlan, the district's director of human resources, notified Rodriguez and Smith about their paid administrative leaves on April 5, a day after the incident.

"It was determined that Ms. Smith engaged in misconduct, including inappropriate communication and reactions to students that escalated the incident, instead of seeking assistance or utilizing other means to deescalate the situation," Quinlan wrote on May 3 in Smith's employee performance feedback.

Williams provided video of the altercation to the State Journal.  In it, Smith can be heard using the slur. 

The school district's investigation concluded Rodriguez "attempted to verbally intervene and de-escalate the situation," according to a letter written by Quinlan. She later wrote Rodriguez's actions didn't align with the district's policies for crisis prevention, proper de-escalation and nonviolent interventions.

Rodriguez will be reassigned to "another work location upon return." Rodriguez's workers compensation and medical provider will determine if and when Rodriguez comes back to work. 

Upon return, she would be required to attend prevention, intervention and de-escalation trainings.

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Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at (517) 267-1344or knurse@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrystalRNurse.