A Vermont school district has reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) over allegations of systemic harassment targeting Black and biracial students. The agreement stems from a DOJ investigation launched in December 2023, prompted by numerous complaints and evidence of racist behavior, including slurs, racist imagery, and displays of hate symbols.
The investigation covered the previous three school years, focusing primarily on the middle school. Findings revealed a pattern of frequent harassment, including the use of the n-word and the display of Confederate and Nazi symbols. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the violation of students' constitutional rights, stating that racial harassment creates unsafe and unsupportive learning environments.
The school district's superintendent, Ryan Heraty, acknowledged past issues, attributing a surge in concerning behavior to the pandemic's impact on students. He highlighted the district's subsequent actions to address the issue. In a letter to the community, Heraty reaffirmed the district's commitment to combating racism and prompt responses to reported incidents, noting a significant decrease in reported incidents during the current school year at all levels.
Despite this, the settlement requires the district to implement significant changes, including a central reporting system for incidents, revised anti-harassment policies, community listening sessions with student groups, and comprehensive training programs for students and staff. The DOJ noted the district's cooperation during the investigation and its proactive measures already in place.
