DANVERS, Mass. — The Attorney General is now investigating the Danvers Public Schools’ response to allegations of racism and homophobia. There is a cloud still hanging over the Danvers High School community centered around the 2019-2020 boy’s hockey team. Sandy House is a Danvers resident. “Just the transparency that they are finally releasing is amazing because it has been so long it has been out of the public eye,” said House.
The allegations involve the 2019-2020 boys hockey team where there were rituals that promoted racism, homophobia and antisemitism. The Attorney General told us they are now official investigating how the school responded. The Superintendent at the time has since gone on medical leave. The current acting co-superintendents wrote in a statement from the outset “We have made ourselves available to answer all of their questions, we have provided all documentation that has been requested of us, and we are prepared to implement recommendations that may follow.”
Parents like Allison Gesualdi are curious about what was not shared at the time. “To some extent, I understand there is a lot of privacy with this and I understand so the parents should definitely be informed when it is protecting the children,” said Gesualdi.
The North Shore NAACP reportedly sent the Danvers Human Rights & Inclusion Committee several recommendations this week including holding the coach of the 2019-2020 season more accountable. The hockey coach, who was also a police Sgt at the time, still overseas the school resource officers. The Inclusion Committee has a regularly scheduled meeting and is expected to discuss the NAACP report and recommendations. Residents just want officials to focus on keeping the schools safe for everyone. “I don’t think they should be subjected to any hazing or anything that might be impartial whether it is a race or any type of thing,” said House.
The meeting was held at Danvers Town Hall Thursday night.
[ NAACP calls for removal of former Danvers hockey coach from school role following racist allegations ]
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