GREENFIELD — The town’s Human Rights Commission will host Greenfield School Superintendent Jordana Harper during its meeting Monday night to discuss an incident at the high school last month that led to the arrest and suspension of eight students.
The commission was made aware of the incident, which allegedly began with a fight between two students, during its first community forum on overcoming racism March 14 — the same day the incident took place. The parents of one of the students involved as well as other members of the public questioned whether there were racist overtones to the arrests.
Commission Chairman Lewis Metaxas has made a preliminary inquiry into the facts and circumstances of the altercation, subsequent arrests, school discipline and court proceedings, and will share the results Monday night. He said he has met with Harper and invited her to discuss the matter with Police Chief Robert Haigh Jr. and School Committee Chairman Tim Farrell during the meeting.
The commission will also look into how it may be helpful in supporting restorative justice initiatives and cultural sensitivity programs in both the schools and the community at large, Metaxas said.
Haigh and Farrell have also been invited to address the issue of school resource officers and the unfunded state mandate regarding them, as well as how the commission may help in that regard.
The meeting will be held Monday at 6 p.m. in Town Hall and the public is encouraged to attend.
You can reach Aviva Luttrell at: aluttrell@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 268
On Twitter: @AvivaLuttrell