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

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial recap: Ex-girlfriend 'Jane' faces more cross-examination, says she initiated some 'hotel nights'
The trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs continued Wednesday in Manhattan federal court, with 'Jane' — a pseudonym for an alleged victim and ex-girlfriend of Combs — returning to the witness stand for a fifth day of testimony in the high-profile sex trafficking case. Federal prosecutors say that for decades, Combs abused, threatened and coerced women to participate in drug-fueled marathon sexual encounters called 'freak offs' and used his business empire, along with guns, kidnapping and arson, to conceal his crimes. In direct testimony, Jane tearfully recounted the 'freak offs'— which she called 'hotel nights' — telling the court that she felt obligated to 'perform' sex acts for Combs with other men because he was paying her rent. She also testified about a brutal assault she endured before Combs ordered her to cover up her injuries and take ecstasy for an impromptu 'hotel night.' Facing more cross-examination by the defense on Wednesday, Jane told the court that she initiated some of the encounters, including one in which she hired two men. She appeared emotional while reading texts she sent to Combs in 2023, calling him a 'blessing' and saying she was grateful that he was taking care of her financially. Combs's defense team said it will finish Jane's cross-examination Thursday morning. The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul is facing five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face life in prison. Here are some key takeaways from Wednesday's testimony culled from various reporters and news organizations in the courtroom, including CNN, NBC News and the Washington Post. Before Jane's testimony got underway, Judge Arun Subramanian listened to arguments over a prosecution request to dismiss one of the jurors for reasons that have not yet been made public. Prosecutor Maurene Comey told Subramanian that the government was initially reluctant to ask for the removal of juror no. 6, but has since concluded the juror appears to have shown 'a lack of candor with the court that raises serious issues.' Defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro objected, saying it was a 'thinly veiled effort to dismiss a Black juror.' Subramanian said he would handle the issue on Thursday after hearing in writing from both sides. Under cross-examination by the defense, Jane acknowledged that she once threatened to not participate in a 'hotel night' with Combs for Valentine's Day 2022 after she saw social media posts of him on vacation with another woman. She demanded that he leave the vacation a day early and return to her. When he agreed, she planned the 'hotel night,' decorating the room with rose petals and hiring two male entertainers to have sex with her while Combs watched. Jane testified that it was her idea to have the two men in the room with her at the same time. 'Yes, that was my suggestion,' Jane said in court, adding that Combs was 'excited about that.' In late August 2022, Jane testified that she told Combs how much she appreciated the sexual encounters after a hotel night with him and a sex worker named Paul. Jane texted Combs that she's 'having so much fun' and she would 'never take this for granted and will always make sure you are taken care of.' Big picture: The defense is seeking to refute the prosecution's claims that the alleged victims were coerced by Combs into participating in the marathon sexual encounters by showing they were willing participants. Having Jane acknowledge that she arranged a 'hotel night' with two men, and later saying she was having 'fun' is part of that effort. On the witness stand, Jane read text messages she sent to Combs in April 2023 after a hotel night, right around the time she moved into a rented Los Angeles home, which Combs is currently paying for. 'The fact that you are the reason for my child's joy is a feeling inside me that I can't explain,' Jane read, tearing up. 'You are truly a blessing in my life, I have never had a man take care of me like you do,' Jane continued. 'You are my lover, my partner, my boyfriend,' she wrote.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial recap: Ex-girlfriend ‘Jane' faces more cross examination, says she initiated some ‘hotel nights'
The trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs continued Wednesday in Manhattan federal court, with 'Jane' — a pseudonym for an alleged victim and ex-girlfriend of Combs — returning to the witness stand for a fifth day of testimony in the high-profile sex trafficking case. Federal prosecutors say that for decades, Combs abused, threatened and coerced women to participate in drug-fueled marathon sexual encounters called "freak offs" and used his business empire, along with guns, kidnapping and arson, to conceal his crimes. In direct testimony, Jane tearfully recounted the 'freak offs'— which she called 'hotel nights' — telling the court that she felt obligated to 'perform' sex acts for Combs with other men because he was paying her rent. She also testified about a brutal assault she endured before Combs ordered her to cover up her injuries and take ecstasy for an impromptu 'hotel night.' Facing more cross-examination by the defense on Wednesday, Jane told the court that she initiated some of the encounters, including one in which she hired two men. She appeared emotional while reading texts she sent to Combs in 2023, calling him a 'blessing' and saying she was grateful that he was taking care of her financially. Combs's defense team said they'll finish Jane's cross-examination Thursday morning. The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul is facing five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face life in prison. Here are some key takeaways from Wednesday's testimony culled from various reporters and news organizations in the courtroom, including CNN, NBC News, and the Washington Post. Before Jane's testimony got underway, Judge Arun Subramanian listened to arguments over a prosecution request to dismiss one of the jurors for reasons that have not yet been made public. Prosecutor Maurene Comey told Subramanian that the government was initially reluctant to ask for the removal of juror no. 6, but has since concluded the juror appears to have shown 'a lack of candor with the court that raises serious issues.' Defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro objected, saying it was a 'thinly veiled effort to dismiss a Black juror.' Subramanian said he would handle the issue on Thursday after hearing in writing from both sides. Under cross-examination by the defense, Jane acknowledged that she once threatened to not participate in a 'hotel night' with Combs for Valentine's Day 2022 after she saw social media posts of him on vacation with another woman. She demanded that he leave the vacation a day early and return to her. When he agreed, she planned the 'hotel night,' decorating the room with rose petals and hiring two male entertainers to have sex with her while Combs watched. Jane testified that it was her idea to have the two men in the room with her at the same time. 'Yes, that was my suggestion,' Jane said in court, adding that Combs was 'excited about that.' In late August 2022, Jane testified that she told Combs how much she appreciated the sexual encounters after a hotel night with him and a sex worker named Paul. Jane texted Combs that she's 'having so much fun' and she would 'never take this for granted and will always make sure you are taken care of.' Big picture: The defense is seeking to refute the prosecution's claims that the alleged victims were coerced by Combs into participating in the marathon sexual encounters by showing they were willing participants. Having Jane acknowledge that she arranged a 'hotel night' with two men, and later saying she was having 'fun' is part of that effort. On the witness stand, Jane read text messages she sent to Combs in April 2023 after a hotel night, right around the time she moved into a rented Los Angeles home, which Combs is currently paying for. 'The fact that you are the reason for my child's joy is a feeling inside me that I can't explain,' Jane read, tearing up. 'You are truly a blessing in my life, I have never had a man take care of me like you do,' Jane continued. 'You are my lover, my partner, my boyfriend,' she wrote.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
‘It is appalling': Parents file lawsuit against PBL teacher, district, admin
PAXTON, Ill. (WCIA) — A lawsuit is peeling back the curtain of what parents said their children faced while at school and practice in Ford County. It includes accusations of grooming and sexually assaulting kids for more than a decade — and the families feel the Paxton-Buckley-Loda School District didn't do enough to stop it. WCIA previously reported about complaints around teacher and coach Robert Pacey. The suit calls him out… But doesn't stop there. Three people, including two parents, are suing the PBL school district and several administrators for what they said is a lack of action. PBL District 210 Superintendent announces resignation The suit said the PBL Junior High administration was made aware that Pacey needed to improve his interactions with students in 2009. That's when accusations of inappropriate touching and behavior started. A lawyer representing those who filed the suit said it only got worse from there. 'One of the main frustrations for people in the community is that there have been so many reports,' Chicago-based lawyer Bhavani Raveendran said. Reports stretch back 16 years. Raveendran filed the suit and said allegations about teacher and coach Robert Pacey only continued from there. The PBL School District got several more complaints about his behavior from students and several teachers as well. 'So many individuals reaching out and speaking out about prior reports that have been made, and they have been coming out of the woodwork on social media and in other sources,' Raveendran said. Special prosecutor investigating 2 Ford Co. teachers accused of inappropriate conduct with students But the suit said it didn't stop despite these red flags. It said two students who attended PBL Junior High both told principal Josh Didier that Pacey was extremely inappropriate with girls in class. The document said he touched students — looked up and down their skirts — and accidentally touched their breasts. 'It does not appear that a lot of action was taken to protect kids in the event that these were complaints that were being made based on incidents that did occur,' Raveendran said. The suit said another one of those happened in 2021 involving the plaintiff named Minor A. She said Pacey hit her on the head at a track meet and said if she didn't shut up he was going to tape her mouth shut. She said she experienced headaches days after. A couple months later she said she was at a practice Pacey was running. She said he told her she needed to change her shorts because they were not what she would race in. When she went into the locker room — she said Pacey followed her inside and made her change into tighter ones in front of him. GCMS school board votes to dismiss teacher after alleged inappropriate texts to student Between 2009 and 2021, the lawsuit said he was moved between positions — suspended — but never fired and an investigation with DCFS was never started. 'Multiple of my clients are students that do not want to see younger students put in a similar situation,' Raveendran said. They're asking for $50,000 plus legal costs for each of the 14 counts alleged. WCIA reached out to the PBL School District several times several times on Tuesday — and was told they didn't have anyone in to handle it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.