Trenton – In an urgent letter, Senator Dawn Addiego called for a thorough investigation into allegations of gender and racial discrimination at Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mount Holly today. The letter came after two former teachers published statements accusing the school of discrimination.
A copy of the letter was sent to the Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Lamont Repollet, Burlington County Interim Executive County Superintendent Daryl J. Minus-Vincent and Director New Jersey Division of Civil Rights Rachel Wainer Apter.
Since the initial statements from Marsha John-Addison and Antisha Meisner, a local Facebook page, We Demand Justice, has brought a deluge of further allegations of discriminatory, inflammatory and sexually inappropriate behavior.
To read the original statements from the two former teachers you can follow the links below:
Read the letter sent to Dr. Lamont Repollet, Commissioner of the Department of Education, below:
Dr. Lamont Repollet
Commissioner, Department of Education
PO Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625
Dear Commissioner,
I want to bring to your attention some deeply troubling accusations of alleged racism and sexism towards two former teachers at Rancocas Valley Regional High School by the school’s administration and the school board. The teachers, two-tour Iraq war veteran Antisha Meisner and Marsha John-Addison, are both women of color and have both released detailed statements regarding their experiences on their personal Facebook pages.
Since these statements were made public, there has been a flood of accusations made by former students in a Facebook group titled “We Demand Justice”. Since being formed on June 16th, the group has over 3,000 members and contains startling accusations alleging sexually inappropriate behavior between school staff and students, alleged racial bias by teachers against students, alleged refusal by teachers to accommodate student’s 504 Plans, and much more.
There is an abundance of detail and creditable accusations that I believe demands an investigation. Rancocas Valley Regional High School, located in Mount Holly Township, in Burlington County, has over 2,000 students enrolled from five sending districts: Westampton Township, Lumberton Township, Eastampton Township, Hainesport Township, and Mount Holly Township.
Education is a fundamental pillar in our society. I know the vast majority of teachers and school administrators are dedicated, concerned and passionate about their profession. I also know we share the foremost goal of ensuring all students and staff can learn and work in a safe environment free of any kind of
discrimination. Therefore I ask that your department conduct a thorough investigation into this troubling situation as soon as possible.
If my office can be of any help in this matter, please do not hesitate to reach out: (609) 654-1498 or SenAddiego@njleg.org.
Sincerely,
Senate Dawn Marie Addiego
cc.
Daryl J. Minus-Vincent
Burlington County Interim Executive County Superintendent
P.O. Box 6000
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
Rachel Wainer Apter
Director New Jersey Division of Civil Rights
P.O. Box 089
Trenton, NJ 08625-0089
