Parents Upset Over Mom's Tactics to Stop Bullying

Parents at an East County school are upset over tactics being used by a parent who said her children have been victims of bullying and racism.

The mother said she has kept her three children out of school for three weeks.

“They’re being harassed, they’re being bullied, they’re having things thrown at them. They’re having people call them (N-word),” said parent Shelly Monroe.

Monroe has led at least three protests outside of Cajon Park School in Santee. Some of the protesters include people with no connection to the school.

A video posted on a Facebook page shows a loud protest, with a person on a bull horn using foul language, and telling parents to 'shut up.'

The upset parents say Monroe is attempting to address bullying by being a bully herself, and say her protests have frightened young students.

“Kids who have never heard racial slurs are now having to ask what does this mean, and why would someone call someone this. And it’s terms not coming from the school, it’s terms coming from the protesters,” said Lu Magneta, who has two sons attending the school.

Magneta has started a Facebook group page called Stand Up for Cajon Park Teachers and Administration.

Other parents say the school has had to change student pickup procedures to avoid protesters, and the school has played loud music to drown out the protesters.

Meanwhile, Monroe and a civil rights activist met with Santee School district officials on Friday.

According to Shane Lewis, with the National Action Network who was at the meeting, district officials will help “transition” Monroe’s three children back to the school, and allow supervision by their grandmother.

In an email response to several questions, district superintendent Cathy Pierce said the district is not anticipating another protest.

“We have an upset parent and continue to work with her toward a resolution. We are committed to continue those conversations until we find common ground. As always, please know that we care about all children, and we want all children to feel safe at school,” wrote Pierce.