Hawkins County Schools : DOJ Settles with Tenn. School District in Racism Probe: Impact and Next Steps

By | June 11, 2024

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Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. “DOJ racism investigation Tennessee”
2. “Tennessee school district settlement DOJ”

Hawkins County Schools in Tennessee has reached a federal settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice after being accused of ignoring race-based harassment incidents. The settlement follows a DOJ investigation into 16 incidents at Church Hill Middle School and nine more at a high school. The school system will hire a compliance officer and implement new reforms to address racial discrimination and harassment. The DOJ found a racially hostile environment in the schools, with incidents like mock slave auctions and the use of racial slurs. The agreement aims to protect the civil rights of all students and ensure a discrimination-free learning environment.

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1. DOJ resolves discrimination probe at Tennessee school district
2. Tennessee school district reaches settlement with DOJ over racism investigation

**Hawkins County Schools in Tennessee Under Federal Settlement for Race-Based Harassment**

**HAWKINS COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) —** Hawkins County Schools in Tennessee has found itself in hot water as a federal settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has been reached due to allegations of race-based harassment in its schools. The settlement agreement, which will be in effect for at least three years, follows a thorough investigation by the DOJ into multiple incidents of racial harassment and violence at Church Hill Middle School during the 2021-22 school year, as well as further incidents at a high school the following year.

**Allegations of Severe Racial Harassment**

The DOJ’s investigation uncovered disturbing incidents within Hawkins County Schools, including a mock “slave auction” of Black students, the repeated use of racial slurs by white students, and a deplorable “monkey of the month” campaign aimed at ridiculing Black students. These actions created a racially hostile environment that deprived students of their right to a safe and supportive educational setting.

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**DOJ’s Response**

In a statement, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division emphasized the importance of protecting students from racial discrimination. She condemned the racial harassment as a violation of constitutional rights and highlighted the DOJ’s commitment to ensuring Hawkins County Schools takes the necessary actions to eliminate racial discrimination within its institutions.

**Reforms and Agreements for Change**

As part of the settlement agreement, Hawkins County Schools has agreed to implement a series of reforms to address racial discrimination and harassment within its schools. These include hiring a compliance officer, updating policies, training staff on handling complaints, and creating a reporting portal to manage and track incidents of harassment effectively. The district will also conduct listening sessions, surveys, and educational events to prevent future instances of racial discrimination.

**Response from Hawkins County Schools Superintendent**

Superintendent Matt Hixson of Hawkins County Schools expressed the district’s dedication to serving and protecting all students, regardless of race. While the school system disagreed with the DOJ’s findings, it entered into the agreement to pursue the common goal of ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

**Conclusion**

The settlement agreement between Hawkins County Schools and the DOJ signifies a significant step towards addressing and rectifying the issues of race-based harassment within the school district. By committing to implementing reforms and upholding the rights of all students, Hawkins County Schools aims to create a more inclusive and respectful educational environment for its diverse student body.