N.J. school to pay $75K to settle bullying suit
A southern New Jersey school district has agreed to pay a student $75,000 to settle allegations that the district failed to take appropriate steps to end years of race-based bullying.
The girl, who is black, attended Franklin Township’s Main Road School in Gloucester County from 2005 to 2009. She claimed students called her race-based names and made bias-driven comments.
The district denied it engaged in unlawful discrimination and said administrators acted on the student’s allegations. But the state’s Civil Rights Division in 2011 issued a finding of probable cause against the school.
Under the settlement, the school board must allocate at least $2,500 to create an anti-bullying awareness program. It must also review its policies and ensure those who respond to bullying complaints are appropriately trained.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.