Amador County Schools Superintendent Dick Glock and board of trustee members found themselves under fire from enraged parents and one of the largest Jewish groups in Northern California for refusing to investigate hate crimes at Amador High School.

But the school board's problems didn't stop there.

The Nov. 18 meeting, held in a small conference room at the Amador County Unified School District administration building, was packed shoulder-to-shoulder. What the crowd witnessed was a fierce, though measured speech from Barry Broad, an attorney who represents the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region.

"I have personally spoken with the United States Department of Justice about this case," Broad informed Glock and board members. "And let me assure you that this is a very serious situation this board is in now."

Broad's comments were in reference to Glock and board president Mary Walser's decision to not investigate alleged hate crimes at Amador High School, despite indications from numerous staff members at the school - including Principal Alan Van Velzen - that such crimes occurred. Also attending the meeting with Broad was Legislative Advocate Gary Cooper and Sacramento Attorney Eric Gassman.

"You may think you can do whatever you want because you're out here in Amador County," Broad went on, "but I'm afraid you also belong to the wide, wide world - and the rules that apply there also apply to you. I feel like introducing myself by saying, 'hello, I'm visiting this board tonight from the United States of America ... We are talking about clear civil rights violations. The public statements alone that your employees have made, at the very minimum, suggest total incompetence, if not venality."

Citing his years of experience in politics and litigation, Broad looked directly at Glock and Walser and concluded by saying, "I know you think you can hide, and stop talking, and all this will go away. Trust me, I've seen this a million times and what's happening now is going to wash over you. I don't know what your school mascot is, but it ought to be a shovel - because you just keep digging and digging."

He turned to the school board trustees and added, "the best you people can do now is get up first thing in the morning and call the State Board of Education and ask, 'what can we do to get out of this.' High powers will be getting involved. If you don't deal with this, you will be dealt with. To the outside world, there's no excuse for what's gone on at this school. We've got a lot tougher schools in the state that have real problems where we don't see this type of stuff."

Two parents, also former Amador students, expressed their shame at what had transpired at their alma mater. "Today I am a not-so-proud graduate of Amador High School," said Molly Ibietatorremendia. "How can it be that with the growth and diversity that Amador County has and is experiencing, this behavior and tolerance of hate can continue? How is it that the words 'burn Jew, burn' etched on a locker can remain on that locker for 13 months? How is it that a swastika can be carved on his desk and not really taken seriously? These are hate crimes. This is not just some kids playing a joke. These crimes, which continue to happen in multiple formats, are a federal offense. By the way, Justin's great-grandmother is still alive, and still has her concentration camp tattoo."

Amador graduate Diane Bennet, who's currently going to college to be a public school teacher, also expressed dismay. "I was a student here in the 1990s and we had some of the best teachers," Bennet said. "We never would have had to listen to a conversation like this back then...I am ashamed at what's going on."

The student at the center of the controversy, Justin Zysman, also spoke at the meeting. In recounting the day he attempted to tell a coach about the words, "Burn Jew, burn" being put on his locker, Zysman broke down in tears. A room full of supporters encouraged him to keep talking and Zysman ended by saying he "would always be a proud Buffalo."

Glock, Walser and the school board members declined any public comment.

Watching the meeting was Anne Baird, a representative from Assemblywoman Alyson Huber's office. Baird left the room visibly disturbed. In the hallway, she spoke with Broad about what agency had been contacted. Broad reiterated that the U.S. Department of Justice would soon be making inquiries into the Zysman matter. Baird then told the Ledger Dispatch that she would speak with Huber about the Zysman case and that Huber's office would be closely monitoring the situation.