A parent spoke at last Monday’s Springs School District Board of Education meeting about the district’s allegedly troubled relationship with its Latino community, which makes up more than 50 percent of the student population.

While another parent, Liz Tatiana Tucci—who is currently in the process of suing the school district for discrimination—translated, Carmen Bustamante told the board and Superintendent John Finello how difficult it has been to stay informed about what is happening in the district due to a lack of translated notices and meetings.

“The Latino community does not feel welcome in the district,” Ms. Bustamante said in Spanish, verging on tears. “We feel like we are strangers to the district and we would like to be included. We would like our notices to be translated.”

Ms. Tucci, who stood beside Ms. Bustamante, pulled out a notice she had received about her daughter’s swimming class. Flipping it over for the board, she showed that there was no translation.

“East Hampton provides translation at board meetings and every notice that goes out to the parents is translated,” said Ms. Tucci, referring to East Hampton School District’s recent addition of a translating system at its board meetings.

In January, East Hampton implemented a system in which a translator speaks into a microphone system connected to wireless headphones to be worn by those in need of Spanish translation.

Ms. Tucci also commented on the confusion and lack of assistance she said Latino parents have faced when going to the district’s office for help.

“Sometimes when they come into the front [of the building] they are not given the opportunity to speak and what they are told is if they don’t understand you have to find somebody,” she told the board, once again translating in part what Ms. Bustamante said.

“According to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 … they must not rely on the students for interpretation,” said Ms. Tucci.

In a statement sent to The Press, Springs School Board President Elizabeth Mendelman said: “The board recognizes that language can be challenging for some of our Hispanic families in navigating the educational system. We continue to bring more resources and tools to help our teachers and staff engage our non-English speaking parents. With smartphone technology and other advances in digital technology we have more opportunities to engage all of our parents. There are many reasons parents can’t attend board meetings and we would like to find ways to remove those barriers.”

Meanwhile, the board released a statement through the public relations firm Syntax stating: “The Springs Union Free School District does not have a practice of discrimination of any kind. We embrace our diverse school community and strive to maintain an environment that promotes tolerance, understanding, respect and equality.”