Escondido preschool settles allegations of ‘English only’ policy

ESCONDIDO, Calif. (CNS). A Southern California preschool has agreed to pay $200,000 to settle allegations that it implemented an “English-only” policy at two of its facilities, including one in Escondido, and retaliated against a Spanish-speaking teacher’s aide, it was announced in Thursday.

The Preschool Jump Agreement was announced by the California Department of Civil Rights, the state agency responsible for enforcing California’s civil rights laws, including those related to employment discrimination.

Along with the monetary terms, which include $35,000 for an assistant who filed a complaint with the Department of Civil Rights, Leap and Bounds agreed to drop any English-only policy and to institute employee training on the state’s civil rights laws. The Civil Rights Department says an English-only policy was implemented at the Leaps and Bounds locations in Escondido and Fontana.

An aide who worked at Fontana’s facility alleged in her complaint that staff and management prevented her from speaking Spanish at work.

When a colleague overheard her speaking Spanish, the assistant was accused of workplace gossip.

Management later responded by having her sign an agreement never to speak Spanish unless she needed to speak to her father, who does not speak English, according to her complaint.

Later, her work hours were significantly reduced, and the Department of Civil Rights said the aide felt discriminated against because of her cultural background and was forced to resign.

Civil Rights Director Kevin Kish said in a statement: “Educators deserve to have their legacy celebrated, but instead the alleged language ban on Leaps and Bounds has fostered a hostile work culture that has left staff feeling undervalued and unwelcome. By taking action to end this discrimination, the school is showing that it is possible to change course and build a culture of inclusion that benefits staff and the communities they serve, no matter what language you speak or where you come from, you are welcome in California.”