logo
Families pulling children out of Seneca Valley School District amid claims of racial harassment

Families pulling children out of Seneca Valley School District amid claims of racial harassment

CBS News25-02-2025

Parents in the Seneca Valley School District are speaking out, saying that the district is not doing enough to address racial bullying and that's leading to some taking drastic measures, including moving out of the district.
Some of those families said they didn't have a choice but to make what is a tough decision.
On a weekday afternoon, instead of being at school, the Latham children were at home with their parents.
"Just this past Tuesday, we notified the school that these kids won't go back," said Amanda Razzano-Latham.
Razzano-Latham and Kevion Latham said their three children have been subjected to racial slurs and discrimination at the Seneca Valley School District for years.
"Now it's come to the fact that they will not do anything so I have to take my kids out of school," said Kevion.
They sent an email to the district last week pointing to racial harassment, emotional trauma, and the district's alleged, repeated failure to protect their three children.
Their son Adrien is a third-grader at Ehrman Crest Elementary and said that kids were calling him "the N-word, monkeys" and other offensive names.
The Lathams said Valentine's Day was the last straw when their fifth-grader Aveana, who was enrolled at Ehrman Crest Middle School, had an encounter with her classmates.
"When they call us and ask for the N-word pass, I'm like, there's no reason to just say that in the middle of class," Aveana said.
According to a July 2024 letter from the school district's attorney, "The district has investigated all allegations of racial comments directed at Amare and Adrien and where appropriate, has implemented its student disciplinary policies."
One of the six incidents mentioned involved racially-charged text messages sent to Amare's phone from his basketball teammates last year. It's an outside team not related to the school, but several players are in the district.
"I'm scrolling and looking at the text messages and it went from negro to you can only cook fried chicken, go get back in the field and pick cotton to you're a monkey," said Kevion.
The letter said the district has a restorative practice session with the students and their parents.
In another incident at school, Amare said he was called a monkey by the same students in the group chat. The administration interviewed and instructed them on the history of the word monkey and its negative impact in addition to disciplinary action.
It turns out, the Lathams aren't the only ones. Other parents tell KDKA their children of color have also experienced racial bullying and harassment, saying their children dreaded going to school.
At the end of last school year, Amy Millward removed her 17-year-old from Seneca Valley High School and said she plans to do the same with her 13-year-old who is in the 7th grade.
"When you're at one of the biggest school districts in Western Pennsylvania and I can count on one hand how many teachers or faculty, it's not diverse at all up there, and they are doing nothing to make these children feel safe," said Millward.
We reached out to the district and in an email response from the district, a spokesperson said they take every report of racism, bullying, and discrimination seriously and it's not tolerated in schools. They also said any claims that it condoned or failed to address reports of racial bullying are inaccurate.
"I am not pegging the school district that they're all racist," said Carmen Garcia.
Garcia said she believes that every case is different. She has two children in the district, one in the middle school and the other at Seneca Valley Intermediate High School. She said they've also had negative experiences but she doesn't plan on transferring out.
"My kids are like, 'Whatever, they're ignorant, they're dumb,'" she said. "I think there should be more programs [to address it]."
The school district declined a request for interview with the superintendent and directed us back to their statement.
"We have and will continue to investigate every complaint we receive involving racism, bullying, and discrimination," their statement read. "When violations of our policies are confirmed, appropriate action will continue to be taken."
"Many of the white friends and family we have are shocked to hear this is what's happening and it's all quiet," said Amanda Razzano-Latham. "I've asked Seneca Valley, I've pleaded with then, we are friends, we are good community."
The Lathams have said they're taking legal action against the district and in the meantime, their children are enrolled in cyberschool.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Crestview High School teacher arrested for alleged sexual relationship with student in early 2000s
Crestview High School teacher arrested for alleged sexual relationship with student in early 2000s

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Crestview High School teacher arrested for alleged sexual relationship with student in early 2000s

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) — A longtime teacher in Okaloosa County has been arrested and charged following an investigation into an alleged sexual relationship with a student that began more than two decades ago. Timothy John Sexton, 58, a current teacher at Crestview High School and former teacher at Pryor Middle School, was taken into custody Tuesday morning at his home in Holt. The arrest was carried out by the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) and the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force. According to the OCSO, Sexton is accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a female student between April 2001 and July 2005. Investigators say the relationship began when the victim was 14 years old and continued until she was 17. Sexton faces charges of sexual battery by a person in custodial authority and sexual battery involving a victim between the ages of 12 and 18. He is currently being held at the Okaloosa County Jail without bond. The investigation began in late March 2025 after the sheriff's office and the Okaloosa County School District received a tip through the FortifyFL app, a platform designed to report suspicious activity in Florida schools. Interviews with the victim and other witnesses ultimately led investigators to establish probable cause for Sexton's arrest. 'There is no expiration date on seeking justice for victims,' Sheriff Eric Aden said in a statement. 'This arrest underscores our unwavering commitment to pursuing the truth, no matter how much time has passed. We are proud of the work done by our investigators and encourage anyone who has been a victim to come forward.' The Okaloosa County School District confirmed Sexton had been placed on administrative leave following the initial report and will now be recommended for suspension without pay pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. 'Our teachers are held to the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and integrity when it comes to the safety and well-being of our students,' Superintendent Marcus Chambers said in a statement. 'Despite the significant time that has passed, if the allegations against this employee are substantiated, we will respond swiftly and appropriately. This is a zero-tolerance issue.' The school district said it had immediately notified the Florida Department of Children and Families and the sheriff's office upon receiving the FortifyFL report. No additional details about the victim are being released due to the nature of the charges. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Utah Supreme Court declines to consider appeal in Kouri Richins' murder case
Utah Supreme Court declines to consider appeal in Kouri Richins' murder case

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Utah Supreme Court declines to consider appeal in Kouri Richins' murder case

Prosecutors asked a judge to lift a stay and schedule a jury trial in Kouri Richins' Summit County murder case after the Utah Supreme Court declined Richins' request to review a decision — a request that led to the delay of her April trial. The Utah Supreme Court issued its decision Friday after reviewing Richins' request for an appeal of Judge Richard Mrazik's decision to keep her jury in Summit County rather than move it to Salt Lake County and prosecutors' response. In the short document, it cited rule 5 of Utah's appellate court procedure which says it should only grant an interlocutory appeal, or an appeal of a decision that is not the final outcome of the case, if the order being appealed involves 'substantial rights' and may have a large impact on the final decision in a case. Richins, a Kamas mother and real estate agent, is charged with fatally poisoning her husband. She was arrested a year after his death, and in that year published a children's book featuring their children dealing with grief. Deputy Summit County attorney Margaret Olsen filed a request to set a hearing where a new trial can be scheduled along with other case deadlines later on Friday. Richins' attorneys had not yet responded on Tuesday. Mrazik denied the request to move the trial to Salt Lake County weeks before it was scheduled to start in Summit County, but granted the request to delay the trial while Richins' attorneys filed the appeal. He reviewed motions and heard arguments about multiple community surveys and media coverage when considering whether Richins could have a fair trial with a Summit County jury. Ultimately, he determined a fair jury could be found in Summit County. He said much of the media attention was from Salt Lake County outlets, both Kouri Richins and her husband grew up outside of Summit County and the population of Summit County is not homogenous. Richins, 35, is charged with murder in the March 2022 death of her husband, Eric Richins, who was 39. She was later charged with attempting to murder him weeks earlier on Valentine's Day. She was ordered to stand trial on the charges of aggravated murder and attempted murder, both first-degree felonies; two counts of distributing a controlled substance, two counts of insurance fraud and two counts of filing a fraudulent insurance claim, all second-degree felonies; and three counts of forgery, a third-degree felony. Richins will face a separate trial for two counts of mortgage fraud, a second-degree felony, and two additional counts of forgery, a third-degree felony. This story may be updated.

‘Harsh consequences': Petaluma man arrested for continued school threats over Pride flags
‘Harsh consequences': Petaluma man arrested for continued school threats over Pride flags

Yahoo

time4 days ago

  • Yahoo

‘Harsh consequences': Petaluma man arrested for continued school threats over Pride flags

(KRON) — Police say a 45-year-old man is under arrest for allegedly making 'criminal threats' in several messages against a Petaluma City Schools District official in which he demanded the removal of Pride flags — saying 'harsh consequences' would follow if they weren't taken down. 2 teens arrested for throwing fireworks into crowd, yelling slurs at Redwood City Pride event The Petaluma Police Department says its officers took Josh Garzoli into custody just after 12:30 p.m. on Thursday after a series of reported confrontations between the suspect and the District Administrator. Police released the following timeline of events: 'On May 30, 2025, Garzoli left a concerning voicemail with Petaluma City Schools Officials demanding the removal of the Pride flag from school grounds. Garzoli reportedly told a School District Official there would be 'harsh consequences' if the flag was not removed. On June 2, 2025, Garzoli arrived at the Petaluma Schools Administration Office. He was reported as being agitated and angry, demanding the removal of Pride flags, but left without further incident. On the morning of June 5, 2025, at approximately 9:18 AM, the Petaluma Police Department responded to a report of criminal threats made toward a Petaluma City Schools District Official.' Investigators say that Garzoli then sent an 'alarming email' to the official in which he demanded the removal of the flags before the end of the school day on Thursday and said 'he would have the District Administrator 'executed' if the flags remained. 'The threat was considered specific, time sensitive, and caused safety concerns for school officials,' confirmed investigators. Petaluma PD says Garzoli was booked into custody on suspicion of violating 'California Penal Code 422 – Criminal Threats,' which is a felony offense. Police say the suspect's bail was increased to $750,000. 'We are working closely with Petaluma City Schools to ensure additional security measures are in place and that district personnel feel supported and protected,' say police. 'The safety of our school staff, students, and broader community is our highest priority.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store