Judge recommends $1 million payout in Ithaca racial dispute

By: The Associated Press

Monday, April 14, 2008 3:26 PM EDT

ITHACA -- A judge is recommending that Ithaca's school district pay $1 million in damages to the family of a black student who said she was subjected to racial threats and slurs on the school bus.
Officials say the district was faulted for ignoring and then resisting complaints by Amanda Kearney as she sought to protect her then-12-year-old daughter from racial harassment by a group of white boys starting in fall 2005.

Administrative Law Judge Christine Kellett's recommendation is subject to approval by the state Division of Human Rights. District officials told the Ithaca Journal on Monday that they were given until May 2 to make formal objections to her findings.

The Citizens' Say

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There are 3 comment(s)

karl L wrote on Apr 15, 2008 10:39 AM:

" Why penalize the school district? Why not make the boys themselves work for the summer in public service and give their commensurate wages to the girl? That'll learn 'em!
I do agree that you can't just do nothing--this kind of abuse and racism needs to be nipped in the bud! I've been the victim of bullying when I was a kid, and it's not fun at all. "

Farmer's Gal wrote on Apr 15, 2008 8:07 AM:

" Part of what is wrong with our country is that we want to put a price tag on everything -- money is NOT the answer. The harrassmanet was wrong, and there should be consequences for those who did the harrassing, but making the school pay a million dollars punishes the wrong people -- it punishes every child in the district because they lose the services those million dollars would have bought, and it punishes every taxpayer in the community, because they are the ones who pay.

We are much too litigous and too venal in this country and make a lot of our own problems. "

chris van note wrote on Apr 14, 2008 5:39 PM:

" What nonsense. $1 million bucks for name calling, once again people wanting something for nothing. Punish the people involved and get on with your life. "

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