St. Louis, Missouri – The Hazelwood School District is considering filing an ethics complaint against Attorney General Andrew Bailey for his recent actions concerning its DEI policies. Recent events have brought to light new details surrounding a violent altercation that resulted in 16-year-old Kaylee Gain being hospitalized with a severe head injury earlier this month.
On March 7, the day before the incident involving Kaylee Gain, the Hazelwood District confirmed a separate fight on school grounds that led to a student suspension. Although the district did not disclose the name of the suspended student, an attorney representing the other party involved in the altercation stated that it was Kaylee Gain who was suspended.
The initial fight, which took place approximately half a mile off school grounds, was identified as a precursor to the later altercation that left Gain critically injured. Despite being suspended for fighting, Gain returned to the area near the high school the following day, leading to the tragic event that unfolded.
Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s response to the incident introduced divisive racial undertones, prompting him to launch an investigation into the school district’s DEI policies. Bailey’s statements inaccurately linked the altercation to the school’s initiatives, drawing backlash from local authorities and school officials who refuted his claims.
Cindy Ormsby, an attorney for the Hazelwood School District, criticized Bailey’s investigation as incomplete and potentially harmful, highlighting the dangers of relying on unverified information from third parties. Bailey’s attempt to politicize the incident and attribute it to the school’s emphasis on DEI programs was met with skepticism and pushback from various stakeholders.
Bailey’s actions have sparked controversy and condemnation from various groups, with the Missouri NAACP questioning his selective focus on incidents involving white students while ignoring cases of racial harassment against Black students. The attorney general’s handling of the situation has raised concerns about his motives and approach to addressing discrimination in schools.
In response to Bailey’s actions, teachers and school leaders have faced threats, prompting discussions about potential legal actions against the attorney general for spreading false information. The district is exploring its options, including the possibility of filing an ethics complaint to address the situation.
The unfolding developments in Hazelwood underscore the complexities surrounding issues of race, education, and accountability, as stakeholders navigate the aftermath of a tragic incident and the repercussions of political involvement in sensitive matters within the school community.