The Southwick Regional School District is being ordered to make significant changes following a state investigation into multiple racist incidents.
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education says the district had an insufficient response after several eighth grade students made posts online about a slave auction targeting students of color last year.
The department says Southwick Regional must make changes to its bullying prevention and intervention policy, including the removal of a rule that bullying reports must be "viable" before an investigation is warranted.
State officials noted the district has made positive strides over the past year, including the start of an anti-bias education program that is led by students.