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The conversation in Modesto has thus far been much less conciliatory. Despite repeated calls for reform from a small but vocal black parents' group, the district is not weighing any changes to its discipline code. Administrators will not comment on particular cases, but Jim Pfaff, Modesto's associate superintendent, points out that district policy stipulates a stiffer penalty for a student, like Russell, who inflicts injuries causing "stitches, loss of consciousness or a fracture." Pfaff attributes the high rate of black expulsions to an influx of black families from San Francisco "who do not understand" Modesto's discipline code, which provides few second chances - just consequences. He has little patience for charges of profiling. "Because we expel more males than females, does it mean that we discriminate against men too?" he asks. Even the black community has splintered over the issue, with some parents who want change accusing others of kowtowing to the district. "[She's] dealing with the people we're fighting, running to the white man with everything," sniffs Mack Wilson, education chairman of the local N.A.A.C.P., speaking of a black mother who joined with school officials to form Project Success, a group that tries to defuse small disciplinary matters before they escalate.

Nobody seems to have commented on this part of the story. San Francisco (and the Bay Area) is "whitening" as high property values cause people who can't afford them to move out, including many local blacks. They drive east to Congressman Gary Condit's district, a largely white area with an economy that was linked to agriculture for a long time. They're moving from Sin Freaksicko to the town that was the setting for American Graffiti. Small wonder they're having a few adjustment problems.

"[She's] dealing with the people we're fighting, running to the white man with everything," sniffs Mack Wilson, education chairman of the local N.A.A.C.P., speaking of a black mother who joined with school officials to form Project Success, a group that tries to defuse small disciplinary matters before they escalate.

Thanks for focusing on that part of the article, as you're right; there is a change underway because of SF property values.

And, kudos to the black mother above, who is trying to work to the benefit of all concerned -- students, parents, and teachers -- by getting these small matters cleared up before bigger matters take over.