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The Partner School Drama: The Integration of the Hmong Community in Wausau, Wisconsin
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Date
Authors
Bruno, Shari S.
Advisors
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Volume Title
Publisher
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Fine Arts and Communication
Grantor
Abstract
Description
Such a dramatic process captivated and transformed residents of the city
of Wausau, Wisconsin, in the early 1990s. Here, the ideological battle was
fought over the busing of students within the Wausau Area School District.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Laotian Hmong refugees, sponsored
by local churches, began arriving in Wausau. Many residents knew little of
the Hmong' s history and their covert role in aiding American forces during
the Vietnam War. Following the withdrawal of American troops in 1975,
many of the Hmong who fought in the war were hunted down and killed.
Others fled to refugee camps in Thailand before immigrating to America
(Hamilton-Merritt). Although most Wausau residents openly welcomed
the Hmong, tensions increased as more and more refugees began arriving.
The stage was set for conflict as Wausau school administrators
attempted to deal with the problem of the expanding student body. A
number of elementary schools had high concentrations of Hmong children
and administrators wanted to offer equal educational opportunities by
balancing the number of Hmong and American children in each school.
The School Board then proposed a solution: Partner Schools. Partner
Schools, however, involved the busing of children. At that point, battle
lines were drawn over who was "for" busing and who was "against."
Despite heated controversy, administrators approved the start of
Partner Schools in 1993.