New York, NY, June 30, 2015 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed the resolution of a lawsuit brought against the Pine Bush School District alleging the district failed to effectively respond to reports of anti-Semitism over a period of several years.
The lawsuit, filed in 2012, charged that several Jewish students suffered anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination at the hands of a number of other students and were unable to get school officials to take appropriate action.
Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director, issued the following statement:
We welcome the resolution of this case and hope that this will be a step towards bringing closure and healing to the Pine Bush community. The allegations in the lawsuit were extremely disturbing and for the last few years have cast a pall over the Pine Bush School District.
The school district’s leadership should be commended for their efforts over the past year to combat anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, and we look forward to our continued partnership in supporting their efforts. It is reassuring that the Pine Bush School District – as well as community leaders in surrounding towns – have taken these tangible steps to address bias in a commendable fashion.
Since the spring of 2014, the Pine Bush School District has voluntarily worked with ADL to create an action plan to make each school in the district a No Place for Hate® school. This ADL initiative is designed to create inclusive communities and empower schools to challenge all forms of bigotry through the completion of at least three activities that actively address bias and bullying in the school. The action plan also included comprehensive training for district educators, students, and family members.
In May 2015, each of the district’s seven schools was designated “No Place for Hate” after fulfilling the requirements.
Pine Bush School District continues to partner with ADL in an effort to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment for all its students.
The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry. Follow us on Twitter: @ADL_NY