SPOKANE, Wash. – In the wake of a recently-filed lawsuit against the Mead School District, a recent graduate’s parent spoke out about the alleged racism his son faced at Mead High School.
“There was a lot of racial slurs being said on the bus directed on the (basketball team) bus towards the black kids,” Rod Bumpas, father of former Mead Basketball player Kolby Bumpas said. “A lot of this stuff I didn’t even know about until the last game of the season. The reason he didn’t share it was me was ‘Dad, I don’t want to say anything because that would screw up my basketball – they would take it out on me.’”
Bumpas also said his son was sexually harassed.
“They were talking about his behind, saying they want to do something,” Bumpas said.
Bumpas says he filed a complaint with the district, which eventually led to his son leaving Mead for his own safety.
“They notified the (basketball) coach that a complaint had been filed against him. He went into the locker room and shared that with the players,” Bumpas said. “There was only two African-American players on the team, so one of (their) parents had to have filed. It didn’t take a rocket scientist.”
Bumpas said his son felt threatened, hearing his teammates in the hallway talk about the complaint.
”He said ‘Dad, I don’t feel safe,’” Bumpas said.
In the wake of racial and sexual harassment claims in the newly-filed lawsuit, Bumpas said he felt the need to speak out, to help promote a culture change within the school.
“I hope they somehow hold them accountable. The individuals that knew about this, covered it up,” Bumpas said. “They need to hold them accountable.”
Mead School District Superintendent Travis Hanson released a statement about the lawsuit on Friday, saying:
“As reported by local news agencies in recent weeks, Mead School District has received tort claims filed on behalf of five individual families in connection with incidents involving students from Mead High School.
We are aware that one of those families filed a lawsuit in Spokane County Superior Court on Tuesday.
Given the other previously filed tort claims, we anticipate additional court filings connected to some of the same incidents.
Defense of these claims is being handled by attorneys retained by Mead School District’s insurance carrier. Decisions regarding legal strategy and any comment on the allegations in the complaint are at the discretion of attorneys representing the district. Our attorneys have asked that we allow the facts to come forward in the context of the litigation.
We recognize that litigation can be an inherently difficult process for all participants. The district does not want to make the process more difficult for the involved students or their families by debating the matter publicly.”
NonStop Local also reached out to the district about Bumpas’ claims, which they have not yet responded to.
