The Southwick School Committee met on Tuesday, and for the first time took up allegations of racially charged bullying in the district. Public comment was taken, but the committee did not answer any questions from the audience.
Committee Chair Robert Stevenson said more must be done to address student conduct, but would not say if one specific offense, an online "slave auction" which offered Black students for sale was handled properly.
That incident is currently under investigation by the state Attorney General's Office and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Allyson Lopez, whose 13-year-old daughter was targeted in the auction and called the "n-word," called for school officials to apologize, make a change, and "do better."
(Photo by JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo: JUAN MABROMATA / AFP / Getty Images