SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – The Greater Springfield NAACP said Monday that they have filed a complaint against the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District for their alleged failure to properly handle racial harassment and bullying against Black students.
That complaint alleging the school district failed to conduct a ‘transparent’ investigation and to protect its black students from abuse.
“We filed a complaint with DESE so that they can launch an investigation if there should be any punitive action taken against the Southwick school district,” said Bishop Talbert Swan, President of the NAACP of Greater Springfield.
On Monday, Western Mass News learned the greater Springfield NAACP filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education against the Southwick regional school district for their alleged: “Failure to conduct a transparent investigation and to protect black students from abuse.”
The complaint following recent allegations of racially-charged bullying including claims of an online mock slave auction which targeted black students.
The allegations leaving local leaders wanting answers.
“The public knows nothing other than the district saying they did an investigation and they closed an investigation,” added Bishop Swan.
Last month, the Southwick regional school district Superintendent Jennifer Willard wrote in a statement:
“The District investigated the situation in accordance with its established policies and protocols. The district concluded its investigation.”
But, Bishop Swan who has been working closely alongside of the 13-year-old victim and her family isn’t satisfied with how the investigation played out.
“How do you do an investigation and never talk to the victim or the victim’s parents? So that calls into question the credibility of the investigation,” noted Bishop Swan. “Did you find incidents of racial bullying and harassment? Was that corroborated or was it not?”
Superintendent Willard said strict privacy laws prevent her from going into details on whether or not disciplinary measures were taken. But Bishop Swan heard from other parents that this isn’t an isolated occurrence and hopes an investigation by dese will change the culture inside the district.
“We want the district to take seriously its long history of allowing this type of thing to happen,” expressed Bishop Swan. “We want them to take responsibility and do what is necessary to create a different type of atmosphere.”
Superintendent Willard responded to our request for comment and said:
“Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District was notified of the PRS filing last Thursday. On Friday, we responded to all of DESE’s inquiries and provided them with all requested information. At this time, we are awaiting DESE’s findings.”
We also reached out to dese for their response to this complaint, they declined to comment but said they have received the complaint.
On Tuesday, members of the NAACP are set to attend the Southwick School Committee meeting, along with Allyson Lopez whose daughter is at the center of these allegations.
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