In 1994, Moorhead High School became the site of a significant student protest when approximately 70 students, predominantly Hispanic, walked out of classes to demand the reinstatement of a bilingual counselor. The demonstration followed the school board's decision not to renew the contract of Richard Lara, citing misconduct allegations which the students disputed.
Key Takeaways
- Around 70 Moorhead High School students, mostly Hispanic, staged a walkout in 1994 to protest the firing of bilingual counselor Richard Lara.
- The school district cited complaints regarding student privacy, inappropriate contact, and failure to keep appointments as reasons for the dismissal.
- An independent attorney was hired by the district to investigate the allegations and found sufficient grounds to support them.
- Students expressed that Lara was the only counselor who understood them and demanded his immediate reinstatement, vowing not to attend school until he was rehired.
- The situation led to a tense meeting between students and school administrators, including Superintendent Bruce Anderson.
Students Organize Morning Protest
On a Tuesday morning in 1994, the day after the school board's decision, student activity at Moorhead High School shifted from the classroom to the front lawn. At approximately 9:30 a.m., a group of about 70 students gathered to protest the termination of Richard Lara, who served as a bilingual student assistance counselor.
The students, who described themselves as being "on strike," made their objective clear: they wanted Mr. Lara back. Their demonstration quickly drew the attention of school administration. Principal Doug Price attempted to engage with the students shortly after 10 a.m., inviting them into the school auditorium for a discussion.
However, the students were firm in their demands, with one shouting, "We’re not talking until the superintendent gets here." This set the stage for a direct confrontation with the district's top official.
A Tense Meeting in the Auditorium
Superintendent Bruce Anderson arrived at the school around 10:30 a.m. to address the protesting students in the auditorium. While most students took seats, a small group of six joined Anderson and Principal Price on the stage, signaling their role as representatives.
The atmosphere was charged as Anderson began to explain the district's position. He stated that legal constraints prevented him from sharing specific details about the personnel matter. The exchange grew heated, with students frequently interrupting the administrators with angry shouts. At one point, a student called Anderson a “hypocrite,” while another labeled Price a “liar.”
The Role of a Bilingual Counselor
Richard Lara was hired by the district the previous winter to fill a crucial role as a bilingual student assistance counselor. For many Hispanic students, he was a key figure who provided support in their native language and understood their cultural backgrounds. His position was funded by a state grant, which provided a salary of $35,000 at the time.
The students' chants echoed their primary demand: "We need Mr. Lara back! ... We’re not going to school until we get Mr. Lara back!" The outbursts prompted a parent, Tish Paquin, who was present to support Lara, to intervene. "Hey!" she said, addressing the students. "The best thing you guys can do is show them that you do have manners, and you do know how to behave, and you do know how to talk like human beings.”
District Outlines Reasons for Dismissal
During the meeting, Superintendent Anderson provided insight into the reasons behind the school board's decision, referencing the information presented at the public meeting the night before. He explained that the district had received formal written allegations against Lara from both students and parents.
The complaints included several serious accusations:
- Failure to protect student privacy rights.
- Touching students in a way that made them uncomfortable.
- Missing scheduled appointments with students and parents.
- Misrepresenting the scope of his authority.
Independent Investigation
To ensure impartiality, Superintendent Anderson explained that the district did not conduct the investigation itself. Instead, they hired an independent attorney to interview individuals and review the evidence. According to Anderson, the investigator found "sufficient grounds to support the allegations," which ultimately led to the recommendation not to renew Lara's contract.
Students challenged the fairness of the investigation, demanding to know who made the allegations and why more students who supported Lara were not interviewed. Some suggested the process was intentionally biased. However, one student, Bethany Cotton, told her classmates that she had been contacted and interviewed by the attorney, partially countering the claim that only negative input was sought.
Students and Parents Voice Unwavering Support
Despite the district's explanation, many students remained unconvinced and voiced their deep sense of loss. They described Lara as the only counselor who genuinely cared about them and understood their experiences. This sentiment was a recurring theme throughout the protest.
"Don’t you understand what we’re saying," student Joel Garza stated to officials. "We’re not going back to school until we get Lara back."
Parents also expressed their support for the counselor. Tish Paquin said she was "shocked" when she heard the news of his firing. "I trust Mr. Lara completely. Our kids look up to him. He’s the only Hispanic counselor in our area,” she remarked while waiting for the superintendent to arrive.
Protest Concludes as Officials Emphasize Safety
After the tense discussion in the auditorium, officials gave the students an ultimatum: return to class or leave the school building. The group marched out, with many reiterating their vow to stay away until Lara was rehired. Parents followed them outside, attempting to persuade them to go back to their classes.
By the afternoon, reports indicated that many of the protesting students had indeed returned to school. Law enforcement officers were present during the morning's events and maintained a visible presence around the campus for the remainder of the day.
Superintendent Anderson later commented on the students' actions, stating they should be lauded for standing up and asking questions. "I think when people are angry you have to be mature and try to understand," he said. He also stressed that the protest did not disrupt classes for the majority of the student body. "Our overall goal is to have safe, secure facilities for all of our kids," Anderson concluded. The district confirmed it would begin searching for a replacement for Lara, whose contract was set to expire that Friday.