MORRISTOWN, Vt. — The Vermont school district has reached a crucial settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) following investigations into severe racial harassment experienced by Black and biracial students. This settlement aligns with a comprehensive review by the DoJ's Civil Rights Division, which concluded that the Elmore-Morristown Unified Union School District failed to adequately respond to distressing incidents over the past three school years, primarily affecting middle school students.

According to the findings published by the DoJ, students reported facing frequent use of slurs, offensive imagery—including Confederate flags and Nazi symbols—creating a toxic and unsafe school environment. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke highlighted that this type of behavior "makes students feel unsafe" and undermines the promise of equal protection provided by the Constitution.

The settlement outlines mandatory changes, including the revision of anti-harassment policies to cover a wider array of detrimental behaviors, conducting annual climate assessments, and implementing extensive training for district staff about race-based harassment. The district also committed to developing a centralized reporting system to ensure that instances of racial bullying are appropriately tracked and addressed.

Superintendent Ryan Heraty responded to the settlement, noting the district's efforts to address behavior issues and emphasizing the significant reduction of reported incidents in recent months. He reassured the community that the district now stands firmly against such acts of racism and is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

While this agreement directly pertains to the Elmore-Morristown district, its impact reverberates nationally, indicating a stronger commitment by the Justice Department to tackle racial harassment in schools. Educational institutions across the country are now urged to examine their own policies and practices to prevent similar issues, demonstrating that racial harassment will not be tolerated. The settlement serves as a pivotal reminder for schools to uphold protective measures for all students to foster a supportive educational atmosphere.

With such actions, the U.S. government aims to encourage other districts to adopt proactive strategies addressing racial bullying and ensuring safe educational environments for every student, regardless of their background.