U.S. Attorney's Office Finds Boston Latin School Violated Civil Rights Act

The office determined there was one violation of Title IV of the Civil Rights Act

The U.S. Attorney's Office has determined Boston Latin School violated the Civil Rights Act.

The office found Boston Latin School mishandled it's review of the allegations that a male student addressed a female black student during class "using profanity and a racial slur and threatened to lynch her with an electrical cord."

After an 8-month investigation, the USAO determined there was one violation of Title IV of the Civil Rights Act which prohibits discrimination by public schools against students based on race.

The office also investigated two other racially charged incidents and the effectiveness of the school's "efforts to create an inclusive school climate for all of its students."

During the investigation the USAO also found that Boston Latin School "did not consistently apply policies and procedures relating to student discipline."

"The reality is anytime a child is threatened, how dare we not notify parents," Michael Curry, of the NAACP Boston told necn.

Per an agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Boston Latin School will implement a four-point plan that address the issue of racial discrimination complaints and how the school handles each incident.

All students, faculty, and staff will attend mandatory training each year to discuss racial harassment, retaliatory conduct, reporting procedures and policies, and cultural competence.

A system of "restorative justice" will be implemented to the school as well as establishing a diversity and non-discriminatory officer who will be responsible for monitoring complains of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.

The school will also conduct an annual survey of the racial climate.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh says no student should feel unsafe at school and hopes to implement the 4-point plan at all Boston Public schools.

"It's important now what we do with reporting the next step," Walsh said.

The mother of the student who was threatened said the findings affirmed what they believed the whole time.

"We are glad the conclusion will result in an improved culture and climate at Boston Latin School," said the mother in a statement.

Read the full report below:

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