BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. – The mother of a 13-year-old Bloomfield Hills honor student wants her son's tormentors expelled, something the district is unwilling to do.
Phoenix Williams recorded two classmates hurling racial slurs at him on his phone. The students in question have been suspended, but that's not enough for his mother, Shanari Williams.
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Shanari Williams addressed the Bloomfield Hills School Board Thursday night.
"It appears that you all have been safe-harboring these individuals and then telling the victims to either accept the minimal punishment, have a seat or leave," she said.
Several other black parents spoke out at the meeting about frustrations with what they say is pervasive racism in the district.
"In the midst of this occurring, we not only have students and their families, but employees that have been harmed by this culture and this racial climate that is pervasive in this district," said parent Stephanie Crider.
Phoenix Williams has been out of school for two months; his mother fears retaliation if he returns.
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The district said the investigation is over and the punishment of the two students stands. The administration has scheduled an open forum on April 28 for parents, students and staff to talk through what has happened here.
Superintendent Dr. Rob Glass is hoping for a teachable moment.
"We are a diverse community, representing a host of languages, ethnicities and other unique differences, and it's our similarities that are the things that link us together as a community that will propel this work forward," Glass said.