Amador County - The Amador County Unified School District announced a program during their meeting Wednesday to address tolerance, anti-bias and diversity in light of recent accusations that the school allegedly failed to investigate hate crimes and the harassment of a Jewish student. Elizabeth Chapin-Pinotti, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for ACUSD, introduced a number of programs designed to address a host of issues, including violence prevention, tolerance, stereotyping, bullying, prejudices, sexual harassment and empowering leaders. Some of these programs are being reintroduced after working successfully in past years and earning students and the district distinguished awards. Chapin-Pinotti also outlined her qualifications to lead such programs. Beyond her work with the school district, she has authored a number of books for teens and children addressing tolerance, bullying, racism and genocide. All this comes in the wake of angry protests from parents and a damning speech at least month’s meeting by Barry Broad of the Jewish Community Relations Council on behalf of Justin Zysman, a Jewish student at Amador High School. In an interview on TSPN, Zysman said members of the faculty failed to properly investigate incidents of harassment in which the words “Burn Jew, burn” were etched into his locker and a swastika was carved in his desk. Justin’s family was in attendance. An attorney working for the Zysman family previously served the board with a lawsuit alleging wrongdoing. Justin’s mother, Molly, asked the board to “consider the employ of the teacher” who allegedly took no action when the swastika was discovered on Justin’s desk. She said a boy admitted to writing “Burn Jew, burn” on Justin’s locker and the police have been notified. Justin’s sister, Michaela, said “I don’t have fun with my brother anymore because of these problems.” Asked to speak by Superintendent Dick Glock, local Jewish community member Arnold Zeiderman said he “fully endorses” Chapin-Pinotti’s efforts and “has real confidence that the members of this board want to make this situation better.” He said that “in terms of tolerance, (Amador County) is not a perfect environment.” He agreed with Molly Zysman, saying the teacher who failed to act on Justin’s behalf “should be let go.” The members of the board made no comments in response to any of the public opinions expressed during the meeting. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.