A federal probe of the Smithtown Central School District, in New York, which the U.S. Department of Education announced on Oct. 15, relates to alleged violations of Title VI in the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
“The district is working diligently to respond to a complaint that the district did not respond effectively to the discovery of swastikas drawn on a desk at Smithtown High School East in November 2023,” Mark Secaur, superintendent of schools at the district, told JNS.
“It is important to note that our investigation of this incident concluded with actions being taken in accordance with the school district’s code of conduct,” Secaur said. “The district has consistently made it very clear that antisemitism, or any form of hatred, has no place in our schools or community and will not be tolerated.”
The district runs seven elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools. Smithtown High School East, which has 1,475 students, is ranked No. 1,994 in the U.S. News & World Report national survey of public high schools, and the publication ranked it No. 193 among New York public high schools.
“The district has sought to blend its curricular work with providing our students with a set of experiences that promote safe and inclusive learning environments that are free from hate and prejudice, respectful of human rights and supportive of diverse cultures, identities and beliefs,” Secaur told JNS.
He added that the district will provide the Education Department with “a comprehensive summary of the incident as well as the proactive and reactive measures the district has taken, and will continue to take, to address this concern,” Secaur said.
