PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A federal civil rights complaint has been filed against the Pennridge School District in Bucks County, accusing it of failing to address bullying and discrimination that allegedly targeted LGBTQ students and students of color.
The complaint was filed by the Education Law Center-PA and the Advocacy for Racial and Civil Justice Clinic at Penn Law School on behalf of families and groups who allege a hostile environment in the district.
The 77-page complaint was filed Wednesday with the Office of Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
It accuses the school district of adopting “racially discriminatory and anti-LGBTQ+ policies and practices.”
The complaint claims discrimination related to changes to the school curriculum, restrictions on certain books, and policies involving sports and school restrooms. Several claims from students and a teacher say they had reported harassment related to race, sex and gender, but they feel district officials did not follow up appropriately.
RELATED
Pennridge School District made headlines after the school board passed several controversial policies. In last week’s election, five of the open school board seats were won by Democrats, flipping the majority.
A district spokesperson has not replied to KYW Newsradio’s request for comment.