Wausau School Board Hears Public Comment From Dozens of Residents Regarding Comments by Band Teacher

Wednesday, May 10th, 2023 -- 11:01 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) -The Wausau School Board took public comment from dozens of residents on Monday regarding comments made by Band Director Rob Perkins towards a student.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, those comments also came from family members of the victim who apologized before repeating some of the words directed at their relative. "But this teacher has used the words "monkey" and "ching-chong." These are the words used in his classroom. These words do not make us feel uneasy. These words are filled with hate and make us feel intense pain."

She also said her nephew doesn't feel like the district heard him when they brought Perkins back into the classroom. "When the District reinstated this teacher, you re-victimized my newphew once again. He would like you to know what you and this teacher have done to him and I quote, "I have never felt as devalued, dehumanized, and vulnerable as I do now."

She also says Perkins never apologized for using those words to her nephew or his Mother, a long-time employee of the district. "This teacher saw my newphew in his class, saw his mom at work and never once approached them to apologize or take responsiblity. You should be disgusted that this is happening in your school."

She also torched the district for not communicating with her family regarding their decision to reinstate Perkins. "The band students were told this teacher was coming back before our family was. They were pulled out of class to celebrate this teacher's return, while my newphew can barely get out of bed. He's had to endure so much victim blaming."

Public comment was taken for nearly 90 minutes at the start of Monday's meeting. Perkins was removed from the classroom for about three weeks while the district conducted an investigation into the matter, he was recently allowed back into the band room with the district releasing a statement saying they acknowledge that students were let down, but called the situation a learning opportunity and brought on a consultant.

The state Department of public instruction recently opened their own investigation into the incident.

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