PIEDMONT — The Piedmont Unified School District will take a proactive stance in dealing with issues of hate speech or actions, Superintendent Randy Booker told the packed crowd who gathered Wednesday night.

“We need open conversations to learn and grow from the recent incidents. Students need to stand up and know what to say,” Booker said at the school board meeting.

According to reports, racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic or other slurs and actions were directed at some students at Piedmont or Millennium high schools. The problems came to light following an on-campus news report by KTVU Channel 2 on May 8.

Students and parents alike were dismayed and confused by the reports, saying there was not enough information. They accused the school district at the May 10 meeting of not adequately addressing the problem, which apparently had gone on for some time.

The tone of the Wednesday night meeting was different. The district outlined its comprehensive plans, and most speakers supported the district’s efforts.

“There are three themes: professional development of staff and authentic dialogue with students; form a diversity working group; and student education about what’s OK, what is not OK,” Booker said.

Director of Curriculum Cheryl Wozniak said “students need to feel physically and emotionally safe. There will be further training to view things through the lens of diversity. We will practice restorative justice.”

Wozniak said 45 district staffers have agreed to a summer training program on social justice. An online form will be available for students to report discriminatory actions confidentially. Assistant Superintendent Michael Brady added that the district’s Wellness Center is an added resource for students who need to talk in a confidential and supportive setting.

Kobi Eschun, co-president of the Piedmont Appreciating Diversity Committee, said Wednesday: “We are heartened by the response from the school district willing to effect change. We have heard from residents who are hurt and angry. It’s time to come together to nurture young people. People are polarized. Students of color have put up with this forever. The district was caught flat-footed with this. Students wanted more information. PADC stands to work with you.”

According to the PADC website, the district met with parents of the offending students and 11 students were suspended from one to three days for their part in the actions, starting on May 3.

Following the KTVU-TV report, PADC noted that students who had made complaints were criticized and in some cases threatened.

Another speaker suggested partnering with the NAACP, Jewish organizations and other groups to help stem any problems.

An emotional Amy Griffith said she is teaching her young son tolerance “to have respect for marginalized people who have a different skin tone.”

Piedmont police Chief Jeremy Bowers, who is African American with children in the Piedmont schools, pledged to work closely with the district with a non-punitive approach.

Piedmont High School students Hannah Marcus, Maya Guzdar and Nina Adarkar spoke about the “Share Your Voice” that was organized at lunchtime for students to air their thoughts and feelings. Another speaker gathered African-American students in her home to reassure them and offer support.

“This is not an easy fix. We have to own it,” trustee Andrea Swenson said. “It’s a community problem as well. We have to check ourselves in our daily life.”

In other business, the board unanimously approved Option 2B, a $57.23 million plan using Measure H1 school bond money. The plan calls for building a new three-story STEAM building where Alan Harvey Theater now stands, razing the theater and rebuilding it on the site of the 10s building. The new building would be 41,900 square feet with six science labs, one engineering lab and 12 general classrooms, PHS administrative offices and counseling offices.

Trustee Cory Smegal was concerned the plan “sucks up resources, when there are other needs. We have to take care with the bond money.”

Director of Facilities Pete Palmer said groundbreaking would be June 1, 2019, with “shovels to the ground” starting Aug. 15, 2020.

Former trustee Rick Raushenbush, who serves on the facilities steering committee said, “Let’s get started.”