The Justice Department has reached a settlement with the Elmore-Morristown Unified Union School District (EMUU) in Vermont following an investigation into allegations of racial harassment among students. The inquiry, conducted by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont, found that EMUU did not adequately address racial harassment at Peoples Academy Middle Level.
The investigation revealed that Black and biracial students faced frequent racial slurs, racist imagery, and hostile actions such as Nazi salutes and Confederate flag displays. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke stated, “Racial harassment makes students feel unsafe, deprives them of a supportive educational environment and violates the Constitution’s most basic promise of equal protection.” She emphasized that no student should endure such hostilities in modern times.
U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest highlighted the importance of this settlement for ensuring a safe educational environment free from racial harassment. He noted that all Vermont school administrators should be vigilant in addressing such issues to prevent further occurrences.
The department's investigation began in December 2023 under Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, reviewing records from three school years starting with 2021-22. The district cooperated fully during this process and has already taken steps to improve its response to harassment incidents.
As part of the agreement, EMUU will revise its anti-harassment policies to include conduct contributing to a hostile environment even if not directed at specific individuals. The district will also conduct annual campus climate assessments involving student input and educate both students and staff on handling race-based harassment effectively.
Protecting public-school students' constitutional rights remains a priority for the Civil Rights Division. Further information about their work can be found on their official website.