(Editor’s Note: Following last week’s dismissal of Four Peaks Elementary School teacher Pam Aister, and the subsequent fallout, Fountain Hills Unified School District has provided a statement concerning its stance regarding the action taken Sept. 29, clarifying several points. The statement is provided here in its entirety:

Fountain Hills Unified School District (district) is well aware of Ms. Aister’s claim that she was intervening to stop a group of students from racially taunting and bullying another student. But based on a full investigation, the district is confident that no racial taunting or bullying ever occurred.

More importantly, the independent hearing officer, that both sides agreed to, likewise concludes that Ms. Aister’s claim is not credible and that no racial taunting or bullying ever occurred.

So what is most unfortunate is that a group of young students is made to sit by as they are unjustly labeled and maligned as racists, bullies and now liars. Such mistreatment of these students, or of any student, is wholly inconsistent with the district’s values and missions.

For anyone seeking to understand the district’s basis for terminating Ms. Aister’s employment, you are invited to review the independent hearing officer’s report, copies of which are available at the district office.

Furthermore, and notwithstanding the conclusion that this is not a case of racial taunting or bullying, the district affirms its commitment to nondiscrimination in matters of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin and disability, as well as its commitment to providing a safe learning environment that is free from bullying, harassment, or intimidation.