Bloomington principal apologizes for 'misguided' letter to minority students

A Bloomington middle school principal has apologized after receiving backlash for a letter sent to parents last week.

David Pillar, principal of Jackson Creek Middle School in Bloomington, sent a letter to families of the school's black or biracial male students on Jan. 20, notifying them of a mentorship program he wanted to implement at the school.

"Our black males score lower on standardized tests than their peers and have discipline referrals at a higher rate than their peers," Pillar wrote in the letter. "These facts cannot be denied and they must be proactively addressed to help support these young men achieve success."

A photo of the letter posted to Facebook had been shared more than 600 times by Tuesday evening, with comments expressing concerns that the program was offensive and was discriminatory toward these students.

Messages left for Pillar were not immediately returned.

The JCMS program was to be modeled after Young Men of Purpose, a mentoring guide developed by Pike Preparatory Academy Principal Roy Dobbs. The program has been implemented at several Indianapolis schools, including Pike High School and Chapel Hill 7th and 8th Grade Center, according to the program's website.

Pillar expanded on the goals of the program in the letter.

"Each student will receive a YMP book to keep," Pillar wrote. "Then, approximately every two weeks through the remainder of the semester, we will be partnering with black males in our community to have conversations on topics such as Accountability, Service, Forgiveness, Courage, Goal Setting, Personal Image, Choices, etc., as taught in the YMP book."

In his letter, Pillar noted that Dobbs created the program for all male students, but the JCMS program would be open specifically to black and biracial males.

The letter was sent to the families of the 27 male students at the school identified as black or biracial. There are 565 students currently enrolled at JCMS, according to Andrew Clampitt, spokesperson for the Monroe County Community School Corp.

Clampitt said the letter was well-intended, but was framed as targeting specifically minority students, which he said was "offensive."

"He firmly believed that the program would be beneficial to the students," Clampitt said, "his approach to implement the program was just misguided."

Clampitt said the following letter of apology was sent to parents Tuesday:

Dear JCMS Parents and Friends-

Last week, I sent out information about a program I planned to implement and believed would be beneficial to our students.

I now understand that singling out students was misguided and offensive, and for that, I sincerely apologize.

I appreciate the input, suggestions, and support that I have received from the community and the conversations I have engaged in, and look forward to working with you to help all students achieve success.

Thank you-

David Pillar

Principal at Jackson Creek Middle School

Clampitt said he was in attendance at the first meeting for the program Tuesday morning and that guests included representatives from the local NAACP, officers with the Bloomington Police Department and the Indiana State Police and several men with director-level positions at Indiana University.

"It’s a great program for all students, not particularly students of any race or minority status," he said.

He noted that the program, in its current capacity, will likely not continue at the school for the time being. If offered, Clampitt said it would be open to all students.

Clampitt said the administration had been receiving calls throughout the day with questions and concerns about last week's letter.

"It was an error in text," Clampitt said. "When something like that is sent out, you would want people to respond the way that they have."

Call IndyStar reporter Holly Hays at (317) 444-6156. Follow her on Twitter: @hollyvhays.