Investigation into bullying and racism at East Haddam School launched

EAST HADDAM, Connecticut – The East Haddam Board of Education began its meeting Wednesday night by addressing allegations of repeated bullying and racism against a middle school student.

The superintendent read a letter to parents saying the allegations were taken seriously.

The Middlesex County chapter of the NAACP and BLM 860 were notified by family members of the student and took quick action.

“I spoke to the father’s non-biological mother today and she is devastated that her grandson had to go through this,” said Anita Ford Saunders, president of the Middlesex County NAACP.

Ford Saunders said the student received hundreds of harassing messages filled with racial slurs sent to him by a group of 10 other students. Some of the messages were sent in a group message the students named after the Ku Klux Klan.

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“It seems like incidents like this are constantly swept under the rug, and we believe people need to be held accountable – from the students who should have learned from their behavior to the administrators who allowed this to happen,” said Ivelisse Correa, vice president of BLM 860.

The group believes that some students are not being adequately disciplined.

“Maybe they get more space because some of them are student athletes. And I understand that student athletes are often the shining stars of a school district,” Correa continued. “I’m not sure people saw that the welcome sign in East Haddam says we’re proud of our schools. How can you be proud of your schools if all of the students don’t feel safe?”

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Dozens of people spoke out publicly during Wednesday’s BOE meeting, expressing anger and disgust at what is happening in the schools. Many believe the culture in the schools enables this type of racism.

“When I was employed in the school district, I tried to start a safe space for LGBTQ and an advocacy group for non-white students… I tried to start this in high school and the administration told me to focus on starting a support group for student athletes,” one woman testified, mentioning that she had seen students carrying the Confederate flag on campus without discipline.

Community officials said that while the school cannot be entirely blamed, the community must take action to ensure racism is not tolerated in East Haddam.

“I have to place some responsibility on the parents as well. You can’t necessarily blame everything on the school system,” said Ford Saunders. “It’s the responsibility of the parents of the community to develop a broader community that is much more welcoming.”

RELATED TOPICS: Cromwell High School students speak out about ongoing racism and bullying

The president of the Middlesex County NAACP said these incidents should be investigated as hate crimes.

“It’s a hate crime and I want it treated as such… it’s a hate crime,” Ford Saunders said.

She said that even if the students are minors, they must be held accountable.

“If you do something wrong, there are consequences. So don’t stand here and think you’re so privileged that you can do something like this without fear of consequences, not under our watch,” Ford Saunders said.

The East Haddam Board of Education recently released a statement saying, “The East Haddam Public Schools administration is deeply concerned about the disturbing recordings we have received involving children from our schools. An investigation was immediately launched, including involvement by law enforcement. Federal law and Board policy prohibit the district from providing details of student records, disciplinary actions, or consequences. We continue to work tirelessly to create school environments where all people are safe, valued, and respected.”

Jake Garcia is a multimedia journalist at FOX61 News. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Facebook, ÞjórsárdenAnd Instagram.

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