Important take-aways:

1. Instead of working to counter and clarify the harmful social media post (with altered photo) apparently circulated by a “disgruntled mother,” Supt. Malloy amplified the fabricated message in a warped, defamatory narrative which he broadcasted in “Cal High Racist Incident 5.23.22.” See Web Link .

“[T]the Cal High Cheer team,” Malloy said, has a “mascot that has had a hurtful racist impact,” thereby presenting a “hateful and hurtful image.” He disregarded the origin of the falsely altered “dark-skinned head,” instead deceptively implicating the Cheer/Stunt Team in “This deeply disturbing situation,” and saying that "We must remain vigilant in our efforts to call out and eliminate racist acts."

2. The Team’s girls, due in part to Malloy’s misleading narrative, were ostracized, jeered, viciously insulted in classes, pushed, tripped, and threatened.

3. Malloy followed angry initial parental and at-large community responses to the girls’ situation at the June 7 School Board meeting with a 15-minute filibuster ( Web Link ), speaking to the “experience that we’re hearing from our Cal High Stunt Team, which is a valid experience.” He said that each and every kid must be safe, respected, and included.” But in extending what effectively was preferential treatment to the originator(s) of the fabricated social media post, he left the Stunt Team members UNsafe, DISrespected, and EXcluded.

4. Malloy said “we knew all that” (i.e., evidence presented in the attorney’s letter and reiterated by parents and community members just minutes before), further angering almost all of the audience. He then tried and failed to validate his outlooks and those of others who, puffed up and misled by fabricated darkening of the mannequin-head mascot, had evidently decided now to consider a mannequin-head mascot of any color to be a racist representation.

Her way of dealing with the controversy is to demote herself back to teaching at the same school. If she really missed teaching, maybe. She obviously wants nothing to do with the conflict. She'd be better off leaving the school.

Supt. Malloy and his minions “made a decision to not address the skin color of the mannequin” because “even when we don’t intend to cause harm, we might.”

So, to hell with the facts (and Cheer/Stunt Team girls), and welcome to the bizarro world of “implicit bias” and “microaggressions.”

The notion that every perspective is valid, regardless of the factual record, represents an axiomatic canard common among educationists, to the effect that everyone gets to speak his/her “own truth,” and all others are supposed to honor it. Thereby, the mature, objective leadership needed here was AWOL. The situation is reminiscent of the rescuers in “Lord of the Flies”: “Are there any adults — any grownups — with you?”

In his devious “Cal High Racist Incident 5.23.22” communication ( Web Link ), Malloy said SRVUSD had implemented its Response to Discrimination and Hate process. The related Handbook says to “Create a fact sheet about the incident, and keep it updated — specifically correcting misinformation. Don’t let misinformation take root in the school or community.” Where’s the fact sheet?

Further, “Use each new communication…to correct misinformation and reiterate facts.” Oh, and “Do not jump to conclusions. If you are hasty, you may spread misinformation yourself.” Malloy ignored SRVUSD’s own Handbook, but District’s corruptly indulgent school board added a year to his contract.

The core of the problem is SRVUSD’s toxic “Equity” program. Its overtly racist “anti-racism” component includes textbooks which (e.g.) capitalize every racial characteristic but “white,” because “being racist against white people is not a thing.” And N.W.A.’s vile, murderous, obscenely misogynistic “Straight Outta Compton” is an alleged source of “change and empowerment.”

SRVUSD world divides people into “oppressors” and “victims.” What could go wrong? Lots, including deceitful displacement of blame for a racist incident.

Someone who is clearly racist and homophobic and express his misbegotten views loudly at every board meeting calling a district program toxic is irony at its best. Our district is taking important steps to empower both teachers and students to be anti-racist and truly support those in the LGBTQ community. When the power of a group that has dominated our society for generations is threatened, they are often the first to cry foul and fight against measures challenging their entrenched power. I am proud of what our district is doing.

"The notion that every perspective is valid, regardless of the factual record, represents an axiomatic canard....to the effect that everyone gets to speak his/her “own truth,” and all others are supposed to honor it."

^ An 'axiomatic canard' also being used to justify the January 6th insurrection and wrongful police shootings.

Both sides of any discourse rely on this approach to make their points.

@Mr. Arata

Personal opinions aside...since you reside in Danville, why obsess on what goes on in the San Ramon School District?

As long as what goes on in the Danville School District meets with your approval, you should be a happy camper.

"Malloy is toxic and needs to go now. Why does SRVUSD need a retired educator from the LGBQT community..."

If equality is the goal of a free society, ostracizing a public educator based on his LGBTQ background & perspectives reaks of homophobia and bigotry.

As Contra Costa County residents, we can do better than that.

Having parents of the same sex should not raise any cautionary red flags as questionable (aka bad) parenting can also exist among conventional heterosexual couples, perhaps more so than by gay parents.

I am a proud lesbian husband and my children are being brought up to understand that there is plenty of latitude when it comes to child rearing and coexisting in modern day society.

On the other hand, there is no further room for bigotry and homophobia unless one is clinging to religious dogma.

@Mike Arata

Racism and homophobia have no place in Contra Costa County.

Since African Americans comprise only 1.32% of the overall population in Danville, why defend, encourage, and promote racism & bigotry in another city where you do not reside?

Danville is Danville and San Ramon is San Ramon.

A truly secular education system does not attack or chastise LGBTQ perspectives.

Only in Florida and fundamentalist theocracies.

a few here are confused on just which cities SRVUSD resides in.

A hint: not just San Ramon. <sigh>

If you live in San Ramon, and you don't know what cities SRVUSD serves, I wonder if they really live in San Ramon. or anywhere close. Keeping in mind the district office is in Danville should be a hint.

SRVUSD Glossary Additions (See also Web Link and Web Link ):

“Racist”: EXPOSING overt, actual racism — e.g. textbooks which capitalize all racial characterizations but “white,” saying that “being racist against white people is not a thing”; and (e.g. quoque) agreeing with black activist Delores Tucker that murderous, obscenely misogynistic “rap” such as “Straight Outta Compton” is attitudinally harmful, not a source of “change and empowerment.” Also: Criticizing a superintendent’s transfer of blame for an ACTUAL racist incident to a team of girls who didn’t commit it.

“Homophobic”: OPPOSING homosexual and transgender activism in schools, especially for 5-11 year-olds, since such activism violates fundamental tenets of child psychology.
“Refutation”: Changing the subject to “the January 6th insurrection.”
“SRVUSD”: Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, Diablo, and San Ramon

“Lesbian husband”: ???

“No further room for bigotry and homophobia unless one is clinging to religious dogma”: Plenty of room for imposing new, quasi-religious dogma which mandates instruction in the oppressor/victim, “white supremacy” model and homosexual/transgender activism at all grade levels (while trying to hide LGBTQ clubs and “gender transitions” from parents).

“Response to Discrimination and Hate”: Misrepresent facts, then amplify misinformation that’s taken root in the school or community. Also, bypass opportunities to correct the record. Use each new communication further to obscure facts. Be sure you jump to conclusions and spread misinformation yourself!

Meanwhile, Mr. Malloy’s/SRVUSD’s supporters above do offer several logical-fallacy examples which Mrs. Keefer can utilize beneficially in her English-classroom return.

Anyone attacking Mr. Arata as "racist" without acknowledging any of his many valid and factual points are ironically dabbling in bigotry themselves.

The main issue here is the elected trustees that refuse to hold the district leaders to transparent standards of accountability. The community wants transparency and this board has offered nothing but muck-racking, finger-pointing and divisiveness. Why is no one here in this comment section voicing concern regarding Dr. Malloy refusing to follow up on actual racist attacks in the district committed by young men at SRVUSD, yet he comes down against a group of young women with only subjective reasoning? Why has there been no "fact sheet" published on this Cal High incident when it is the district's own policy to create one of these? Why where none of the actual kids on the cheer team or any coaches or any school administrators part of the "investigation" done by Dr. Malloy? These are important questions that the low class people here attacking messengers instead of responding to claims directly clearly have no good answers.

If the Trustees will not hold the district accountable to its own rules, then we as a community need to elect new trustees in November.

I recall a Tucker Carlson/Fox News segment a few months ago that addressed the controversial PRISM program being conducted at SRVUSD elementary schools.

Since the highly respected Mr. Carlson ridiculed the concept, there must be something wrong with promoting a PRISM agenda that acknowledges the LGBTQ community.

Carlson is also known for promoting something called Replacement Theory which I understand to be an ongoing progressive effort to alter the cultural landscape of America.

I don't think this alteration could ever occur in the Danville/San Ramon locale because the region is comprised mostly of upper middle class/white conservative residents who tend to vote Republican.

Since the school board is made up of duly elected officials, one might also assume that their decisions are reflective of the local voters. If so, the disgruntled represent a minority perspective.

Perhaps it is time for Tucker Carlson to investigate and expose the cheerleader controversy for what it is...either a reverse racist coverup by the school administration or a premeditated racist gesture by the rally squad.

Tucker Carlson's views seem to parallel those of many Danville/San Ramon residents.

Has there been any further investigation into this matter to confirm the actual perpetrator of the controversial photo?

The superintendent acted properly in condemning the incident but more facts and details are needed to ensure that the person (or persons) responsible for the tasteless posting are held accountable.

"Danville is Danville and San Ramon is San Ramon."

Danville and San Ramon (in general) are two communities that share similar perspectives in terms of demographics, racial/LGBTQ equality, and politics.

"...since you reside in Danville, why obsess on what goes on in the San Ramon School District?"

Danville + San Ramon = the same people (white/upper middle class conservatives) that share the same school district and personal outrages.

If one desires a more progressive environment that celebrates progressive change, equality, and ethnic diversity, perhaps it's best to consider residing elsewhere.

To answer Larry’s question there Hasn’t been any investigation whatsoever. The cheer Team still has had a question and Dr. Malloy has never seen it himself door the other asked to look at it himself. How can there be any investigation that did involve looking at the actual head? The district also never talked to anyone on the team. Dr. Malloy is not telling the truth about this investigation because it never happened. He just claimed his imagination of the events was fact regardless of all the counter information that was provided.

The community has an obligation to hold the trustees elected to standards of accountability and transparency. They have failed in their job therefore it is our job as a community to replace them.

According to ABC7 News:

"Before @CaliforniahsCheer deleted their page on Instagram, an account called @theblackbayarea took screenshots and posted to their page, drawing attention to the photos."

^ This is incriminating evidence. Why was the image initially posted on the @CaliforniahCheer Instagram page in the first place?

It was only after being posted online that
someone took an evidentiary screenshot of the offensive pic and then re-posted it on @blackbayarea.

And then someone deleted it from the online @CaliforniahCheer Instagram page.

Have district school officials investigated and interrogated all of the individual(s) who have access to post images on the @CaliforniahCheer Instagram page?

It could very well have been a member of the California stunt team pulling a hurtful and racist 'stunt' as an end of school year joke.

Not funny and reflects poorly of any 'outraged' parents who may be seeking to protect their kids by pinning the blame on someone else lest it be exposed in the future during a key job interview or a run for political office.

Blackface caricatures always have a way of coming back to haunt those who think it's funny.

By then it's too late for any feigned remorse and excuses.

The Tucker Carlson segment referenced by Mr. Cook was from a Feb. 27, 2021 online California Teachers Association (union) seminar by SRVUSD teachers Korby Saunders and Blaire Wyatt, entitled “Affirming LGBTQ+ Identities in Elementary School.” In the 30 seconds prior to Carlson’s slice, Saunders spoke about halting parental permission slips for LGBTQ+ “Prism” Clubs. Wyatt added “that lunchtime is kind of that sweet spot” for Prism meetings because it “kind of eliminates a little bit of that parent interaction” which occurs if kids instead come early or stay late. The seminar’s slide deck is likewise revealing.

In Nov. 2020, Saunders and Country Club Principal Christy Glaser had led their own “Affirming LGBTQ+ Identities in the Elementary Grades” discussion for the debased “National Council of Teachers of English.” They described “their experiences of queering the classroom,” now including homosexual and transgender-themed read-alouds for 5-year-olds (kids just learning to tie their shoes).

In a 1984 CTA booklet, “Guidelines for Academic Freedom in the Public Schools,” CTA revealed its cynical radicalism: “Who dares take on religion, free enterprise, patriotism, and motherhood? We do — and we must!” (p.32). In 1990, CTA’s SRVUSD chapter (SRVEA) won CTA’s “Chapter in Politics Award” for having taken effective control of the school board here. Whether due to inertia, apathy, busy parents’ time-saturation, or concentrated union money and activism, SRVEA has pulled SRVUSD strings behind scenes ever since.

The May 23 ABC report quoted by Mr. Johnson misrepresents the facts (unsurprisingly; it’s ABC). The May 31 attorney letter posted in the Megan Keefer article above these comments presents the real-world account, including the scandal’s origins, from a “disgruntled mother” whose daughter was the only one of 7 black girls not selected for the Cheer/Stunt Team, to Supt. Malloy’s amplification of the fabricated “racism” narrative. “Reverse-racist coverup?” Yes, indeed.

Forest Johnson - let's talk about facts. The image from blackbayarea was a screen capture from a TicTok video that was then digitally altered in two distinct ways: 1) It was made to look darker than it is in real life. 2) The actual name of the doll was clearly written on the girl's shirt in the original video. The blackbayarea picture conveniently placed captioning text over the actual name so they could pretend it was named something it was clearly not. There was zero investigation done on this matter.

Also, yearbook pictures from 6 years ago show now District Director of Instruction Chris George who was then Principal of Cal High posing in a picture that included the head in question! Has anyone asked Chris George why he approved this while he was Principal and if Dr. Malloy is being hypocritical by absolving Chris George of all wrongdoing here while throwing these cheer girls under the bus for a tradition that was known about and approved by Mr. George?

The district has an obligation to the community to be transparent. They continue to fail at transparency just as they failed with transparency during the shutdown. The Trustees are complacent with this corruption and they need to be replaced with new trustees that actually care about the people that are elected to represent.

This unfortunate incident might have been avoided had there been a mandatory quota specifying that out of the 107 stunt team members, at least 25% must be African American, Hispanic, and/or transgender participants.

This would leave a 75% majority of white stunt team members which would (or should) pacify all parties concerned.

We live in a time of heightened awareness and striving towards equality and diversity.

Bob- should your quota system be applied to grades as well? Shouldn’t buy your logic here only 75% of the 4.0+ students be white as well? If there are more, bump a random sample down to a 3.5 GPA for “equity” right?

What will the reaction be when Dr. Malloy baselessly calls YOUR daughters sports teams all racists next year?