FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Parents and students are calling for Fresno Unified to put an end to alleged discrimination in the classroom after a substitute teacher was removed from school after claims of inappropriate remarks to students at Roosevelt High School.
Students recorded substitute teacher Craig Cleveland allegedly questioning them about their immigration status and asking to see their IDs. The recordings, later posted on social media, sparked outrage within the community.
YourCentralValley.com reached out to Craig Cleveland for a statement but did not receive a response in time for this article’s publication.
“When a teacher like Craig Cleveland is allowed to harass students based on race and their background, it is not just his failure—it is Fresno Unified’s failure,” said one speaker at the district’s Board of Education meeting on Feb. 12.
Valeria Rodriguez, a parent and former student of Roosevelt High School, says Cleveland made students feel uncomfortable and unsafe with his questions, prompting them to record Cleveland.
“He was also casually mentioning that he had a friend who works for ICE and who runs things in the Central Valley,” Rodriguez said. “The students felt uncomfortable, they felt like maybe they were in danger, so they started recording.”
The following day, Fresno Unified released a statement condemning the behavior and confirming Cleveland’s removal.
Fresno Unified is committed to maintaining safe, supportive, and welcoming schools for all students, regardless of their immigration status. Our schools are places where every child belongs and we take that responsibility seriously. These types of questions are not in line with our district’s values or policies and we want to be clear, this is not acceptable in any of our classrooms.
Additionally, Fresno Unified School District says its human resources team is handling the situation and takes immediate action when these kinds of incidents happen.
Despite the district’s swift response, some students remain skeptical.
“Honestly, I feel like they just responded quickly to cover up their image,” said one student who chose to remain anonymous.
Cleveland did not respond to a request for a statement. However, in interviews with other media, he said the comments were made with the intention of pushing back against conservative views on immigration – and to create conversations on the subject.
Alexandria Ramos O’Casey, who spoke at the Board of Education meeting, said more action is needed beyond Cleveland’s removal. She says this incident is an opportunity for Fresno Unified to set a standard other districts around the country can follow.
“Now is not the time to put a band-aid,” O’Casey said. “Now is the time to set a precedent for what prevention can look like for all students, not just in Fresno Unified but for the entire Central Valley, the entire state, for the entire country.”
Student organizers say they want other students to know they are not alone.
“I would encourage everyone to speak up or to tell somebody who is trusted to speak up for them how I spoke up for my friends,” an anonymous student said. “They are not alone and everyone is fighting for you. You should never feel unsafe at school.”
