Student Complaint Over Slavery Lesson Investigated In Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Toms River school district officials are investigating allegations from a student about a teacher's classroom lesson on slavery, the district confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

District spokesman Michael Kenny confirmed Lawrence Cuneo, an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Toms River Intermediate East, is the subject of the student's complaint. Cuneo also is the mayor of Pine Beach.

"We were recently alerted by a Toms River Intermediate East student of an alleged incident that took place at the school regarding a lesson on slavery," Kenny said. "Our district is undergoing a thorough investigation into this matter."

The lesson allegedly included having students pretending to "pick cotton" like slaves while Cuneo made sounds like a whip cracking and kicked students, the Asbury Park Press reported, citing an Instagram post. Patch has not seen the post and could not verify the contents.

Related: Toms River Students Defend Teacher, Hands-On Slavery Lesson

"The intent of this lesson was to show how degrading and despicable the institution of slavery was in our history," Cuneo said in an email reply to a request for comment. "Slavery existed within our country and the lessons learned, even if uncomfortable, need to be told."

"At no time was my intention to harm the sensitivities of any student. If this lesson did that, I apologize to those affected," Cuneo said.

"As we comb through and further investigate the details of the alleged incident, we are keeping in mind that our curriculum has evolved to include more hands-on, authentic activities," Kenny said.

"It seems initially clear that there was no ill intent but that better judgment should have been used with regard to the alleged instructional methods, particularly as it pertains to recognizing the sensitivities of all students," he said.

He would not comment on whether any actions have been or could be taken against Cuneo, who has worked for the district for 18 years, according to information in the DataUniverse database. He earned $72,103 as of March 2019. He additionally receives $2,500 as mayor of Pine Beach.

"In terms of the status of the teacher and any action that has been taken now or in the future, including removal from the classroom, this remains a confidential personnel issue that we cannot discuss," Kenny said.

Note: This article has been updated with comment from Lawrence Cuneo.

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