For more information:
Mia Schultz, president
Rutland Area NAACP
president@naacprutland.org
Vermont Schools Fail to Protect Students of Color: A Call for Action and Accountability
Recent Woodstock Settlement Exposes Ongoing Discrimination in Vermont Schools
RUTLAND, VT – The Rutland Area NAACP stands with families across Vermont who continue to face systemic racism in public education. The settlement of a recent Vermont Human Rights Commission case involving Woodstock Union High School highlights the persistent failure of schools to address racial harassment, underscoring the urgent need for meaningful reform.
This case involved a Black student subjected to nearly daily racial harassment. Despite the school district’s clear Hazing, Harassment, and Bullying (HHB) policies, officials failed to investigate, intervene, or provide adequate safety measures. The student’s resilience, along with support from family and friends, resulted in a historic settlement that includes $175,000 in compensation and mandatory anti-discrimination training for school staff. However, the district has denied any liability.
The Vermont Human Rights Commission unanimously supported the investigation’s findings, which revealed that the harassment was so pervasive it impeded the student’s education. In a poignant reflection, the student shared:
“The adversity I faced at Woodstock should never have been placed in front of me. I didn’t see anyone in the Woodstock school system fight for me, so I fought for myself. With the help of family and friends, we demanded justice. There is a sentiment I created while fighting through the dark period of my life in seventh grade: ‘If you don’t like the reality you’re living in, create yourself a new one.’”
This incident is not isolated. It reflects a troubling pattern of negligence in Vermont schools when it comes to protecting BIPOC students from racism and discrimination. The Rutland Area NAACP applauds the courage of this student and their family while calling for systemic accountability to prevent such harm in the future.’
Demands for Change
The Rutland Area NAACP is calling for immediate action to address systemic racism in Vermont schools, including:
- Active Enforcement of Policies: School districts must ensure HHB policies are implemented with diligence and transparency.
- Comprehensive Anti-Racism Training: Educators and administrators need ongoing education to identify, address, and prevent racial discrimination.
- Accountability and Oversight: Schools must commit to open reporting and accountability measures to protect students of color.
- Statewide Equity Reforms: Vermont must adopt robust policies that prioritize the safety and dignity of BIPOC students in every district.
A Call to the Community
Mia Schultz, President of the Rutland Area NAACP, emphasized:
“Racism in our schools is a crisis that impacts the safety, well-being, and future of BIPOC students. It should not take lawsuits to compel schools to fulfill their duty of care. Every educator, administrator, and policymaker has a responsibility to foster an environment where all students can thrive. We cannot ignore the urgency of this issue.”
The Rutland Area NAACP urges community leaders, educators, and policymakers to rise to this challenge. The time for silence and inaction is over. Vermont’s schools must become places where every student, regardless of race, feels safe, supported, and valued.
For more information or to support our work, please contact us at info@naacprutland.org.
Rutland Area Branch of the NAACP 