Groups Allege Boston's Closing of Schools is Racist

The United States Department of Education is looking into a complaint alleging discrimination in the Boston School District's recent school-closing plan, according to Universal Hub.

Nine local Boston schools are  in September of 2011 after the School Committee approved the “Redesign and Reinvest” plan during its Dec. 15 meeting. Two of the schools that are being closed have already been designated to house .

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The complaint, which was filed by the Black Educators’ Alliance of Massachusetts and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law of the Boston Bar Association, alleges the plan “disparately burdens and discriminates against Black, Latino, and/or national origin minority students and parents.”

Neither of the groups that filed the complaint returned Patch e-mails and phone calls.

According to the complaint, the plan does not adequately accommodate the future needs of English language learners and Special Education students who are currently at schools such as Jamaica Plain's Agassiz School and several other schools. This disregards “the rights of these students to appropriate educational programs.”

In a press release, Boston School Superintendent Carol Johnson commented that the district’s plan is the right one as it provides the best chance of success for Boston students.

“The truth is, the schools slated for closure were selected because they are among the lowest chosen by families, have been struggling academically, or are in facilities that are not up to par,” said Johnson. “Furthermore, we are expanding choices in higher-performing schools and turning around underperforming schools in the very communities in question.”

Johnson went on to state that to keep students in these schools would be a “great disservice” as better options are available and that the district is looking forward to cooperating with the Department of Education’s inquiry.

The DOE's Office of Civil Rights is in charge of investigating the complaint.