Sixth agency to probe racial violence at high school

The racial violence at South Philadelphia High School last month has drawn the official attention of yet another government agency.

The Mayor's Commission on Asian American Affairs Wednesday expressed "deep concern" over the Dec. 3 beatings of 30 Asian students by large groups of primarily African American pupils, and announced it would monitor the situation at the school.

The commission - an advisory panel with no enforcement power - is at least the sixth authority to open an investigation, hold hearings, or focus an official eye on the school. They range from the Philadelphia Police Department, to the city and state Commissions on Human Relations, to Vietnam's Deputy Ambassador to the U.S.

Nina Ahmad, chairwoman of the mayor's commission, called Wednesday for monthly reports on immigrant education and multicultural affairs at South Philadelphia High, as well as community meetings with city officials and Philadelphia School District administrators.

"We welcome opening up lines of communication to community groups who can help us" with solutions, said Evelyn Sample-Oates, a district spokeswoman.

Seven students required hospital treatment after the beatings. Ten - six black, four Asian - have been suspended, but more may still be punished.

Ahmad said the commission wants to help the district address issues related to multicultural education and the plight of immigrant students.

"We're hoping that out of this horrific incident," Ahmad said, "there's a silver lining."

In addition to the ongoing police probe, investigations already have begun by the Pennsylvania Commission on Human Relations, and by retired Judge James T. Giles, who the district hired to probe the incident.

The city's Commission on Human Relations is holding public hearings on racial discrimination in schools.

In addition, Vietnam's deputy ambassador met with U.S. State Department officials last week to discuss the safety of Vietnamese students at South Philadelphia High and said he would keep close watch on the situation.

Advocates for the Asian students have said they will file a federal civil rights claim.

Earlier this week, sharp divisions between those advocates and Superintendent Arlene Ackerman were evident at a private meeting called by the state Human Relations Commission.

Ackerman said too much time is being spent on the case, according to those at the meeting. She said she wants finger-pointing to stop, and that while fixes are needed, the main issue is citywide violence and racial tensions.

The advocates contended the district has long ignored racial strife and violence, and that district efforts to fix the problems at South Philadelphia High - more counselors, cameras, police, diversity training - aren't enough.