News Summary
Two Black teachers from Beverly Hills High School have received approval from a Los Angeles court to combine their legal claims against the school district alleging systemic racism and discrimination. Jarvis Turner and Natonda Ivory allege experiences of racial misconduct, harassment, and unequal treatment, pointing to a broader culture of intolerance in the district. Their lawsuit seeks not only accountability and equal pay but also meaningful changes to combat ongoing issues of racism in the school environment, highlighting the neglect of Black students’ experiences and safety concerns.
Beverly Hills – Two Black teachers have received permission to combine their legal claims against the Beverly Hills Unified School District in a single trial, following a ruling by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brock T. Hammond. The judge determined that it would be more efficient to litigate the allegations together, rather than in separate court proceedings.
The plaintiffs, Jarvis Turner and Natonda Ivory, filed their lawsuit on April 25, 2022, citing issues including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and the failure of the school district to take corrective action. Their case alleges a broader culture of racial misconduct within the district.
The Beverly Hills Unified School District’s legal team contended that combining the claims could result in jury confusion and lead to a “disjointed and prejudicial proceeding.” However, the court still ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, allowing both educators to move forward with their grievances collectively.
Jarvis Turner has been a member of the Beverly Hills High School staff since 2010, serving as the basketball coach and a sports marketing instructor. Turner claims to have experienced significant racial harassment, which included a disturbing incident in 2019 when he received an email that contained a racial slur. He alleges that students have directed racial epithets toward him over the phone and that some parents have engaged in racially charged stereotypes when dealing with him.
Natonda Ivory joined Beverly Hills High School as a career and technical education teacher in 2020. She reported feeling humiliated while co-teaching with a theater instructor and faced additional challenges after raising concerns about derogatory comments made by cafeteria staff. An assistant principal allegedly reprimanded her for not being “quiet, meek, passive and compliant” around her non-Black colleagues.
Both teachers maintain that Black students at Beverly Hills High School feel marginalized, invisible, and unsafe, echoing claims of experiencing racism. They assert that Black student experiences often go unaddressed compared to the focus on issues faced by Persian Jewish students and the Israel-Palestine conflict. As stated in their lawsuit, these students frequently encounter the “N” word, perpetuating a hostile environment.
Ivory also highlighted personal concerns, stating that her son was bullied at a middle school within the district. This situation escalated to the point where he had to complete one semester in home schooling and the following semester in an online educational program. In another disturbing incident, a student threatened to stab Ivory in front of her class in February 2022, yet the school did not take any disciplinary actions following the threat.
Facing an unwelcoming work atmosphere, Ivory ultimately resigned from her position in the spring of 2022 and took a job that offered a lower salary. Both Turner and Ivory claimed that they have faced unequal pay in comparison to their non-Black counterparts fulfilling similar roles within the district.
The teachers are seeking equal pay, compensation for the harm they have suffered, and meaningful changes within the district to tackle ongoing racism and discrimination. As of now, the Beverly Hills Unified School District has refrained from making any comments regarding the ongoing litigation.
This situation encapsulates deeper issues within educational institutions, particularly in diverse areas, and underscores the importance of addressing and rectifying instances of discrimination and harassment in schools.
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Additional Resources
- MyNewsLA: Judge Rules Black Teachers Claims Properly Joined for Trial
- Beverly Press: Black Teachers File Discrimination Lawsuit Against BHUSD
- ABC7: Teacher Sues Beverly Hills High School, Claims Racism
- Google Search: Racial Discrimination in Education
- Sac Observer: Beverly Hills Faces Two Lawsuits Alleging Racist Treatment
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Racial Discrimination in Schools
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
