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Complaint says district failed to protect two Black students despite substantiating multiple incidents
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Complaint says district failed to protect two Black students despite substantiating multiple incidents
REDLANDS, Calif. – A Redlands mother has sued Redlands Unified School District, alleging the district failed to protect her two Black children from repeated racial harassment even after district investigations substantiated multiple incidents.
The lawsuit, filed March 6 in San Bernardino County Superior Court, names Redlands Unified School District as the defendant and was brought by Daphne Hawkins on behalf of her two children. The complaint alleges violations of federal civil rights laws, California education and civil rights statutes, negligence and emotional distress.
According to the complaint, the children endured repeated racial harassment between late 2024 and spring 2025, including racial slurs, derogatory notes, and a classroom lesson featuring the Dutch holiday character "Black Pete." Although the district later substantiated multiple complaints through its Uniform Complaint Procedure process, the lawsuit alleges officials failed to implement adequate protective measures, allowing the harassment to continue.
The complaint further alleges both children were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in April 2025 as a result of the incidents and continue to receive treatment.
In response to questions from Community Forward Redlands, district spokesperson Christine Stephens said Redlands Unified "takes concerns involving discrimination, harassment, student well-being, and school climate seriously" and emphasized that addressing those issues is part of the district's ongoing work, not simply a response to individual complaints.
"The District continues to successfully improve systems and practices districtwide," Stephens said, noting that the California Department of Justice recently rated Redlands Unified "Substantially Compliant," its highest possible compliance rating, during its second annual review.
Community Forward Redlands first reported on the allegations in March 2025 when parents Channing and Daphne Hawkins publicly described a series of racist incidents involving their children during a Redlands Unified school board meeting.
At that meeting, Daphne Hawkins described incidents involving her children, including a handwritten note that read, "Your skin is as black as your future," and comments comparing a child's skin color to dog food. Channing Hawkins questioned how long similar conduct may have gone unaddressed within the district.
The lawsuit alleges district investigations later substantiated multiple incidents, including:
The complaint further alleges that emails sent to the district beginning in October 2024 reported classmates calling the children "mud" and "tar ball."
The family contends district officials failed to adequately supervise students, provide sufficient staff training, implement effective safety plans or separate the children from students responsible for the harassment. The lawsuit also alleges district staff delayed notifying parents about some incidents and failed to provide culturally competent counseling services.
The complaint states both children continue to receive treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and experience symptoms including anxiety, nightmares, depression, withdrawal and fear of attending school. It alleges their diagnoses were linked to the repeated racial harassment they experienced at school.
The filing follows findings previously reported by Community Forward Redlands. In an April 2025 follow-up report, district officials detailed actions taken after investigating several incidents involving racial slurs and discriminatory conduct at Mariposa Elementary.
At the time, Superintendent Juan Cabral publicly condemned the incidents and said racism would not be tolerated in Redlands Unified schools. District officials outlined corrective actions that included staff training, student interventions and efforts to strengthen reporting and response procedures.
The lawsuit alleges those measures were insufficient and came after repeated complaints had already been made.
The issue returned to the school board in June 2025, when Daphne Hawkins and other community members urged trustees to reaffirm the district's commitment to fighting racism. The board ultimately declined to adopt a revised anti-racism resolution, instead directing staff to explore a broader statement on unity and inclusion.
In a recent statement, Stephens said the district has expanded professional development for employees, strengthened reporting and compliance procedures, enhanced student support systems and continued school climate initiatives intended to foster "environments where students from all backgrounds feel a sense of belonging and connection."
"Our focus remains where it belongs: supporting students, partnering with families, fostering inclusive and welcoming school environments, and ensuring every student has access to a safe and positive educational experience," Stephens said.
The complaint seeks compensatory damages, attorney's fees and court-ordered reforms. Requested reforms include districtwide cultural competency and anti-racism training, creation of an independent equity task force, implementation of a bias-incident reporting system, expanded counseling services and adoption of a board-level anti-racism resolution.
Court records show the family filed a government tort claim against the district in July 2025. The Redlands Unified Board of Education rejected that claim in September 2025, clearing the way for litigation.
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