Independent Investigator

The attorney hired by the Lower Dauphin School Board detailed a dozen recommendations to improve the district’s handling of reports of discrimination, harassment, racially motivated behavior and anti-LGBTA rhetoric.

In an executive summary report approved by the board on Monday, October 2, attorney Allison Petersen of the Levin Legal Group said their investigation “did not uncover any evidence of intentional disregard or indifference by district staff to known improper behavior by staff or students. The specific incidents identified during the investigation were found to be taken seriously, immediately addressed, and promptly reviewed.

“District administrators exhibit a deep and profound commitment to fostering an inclusive, caring and safe environment for all students and are dedicated to improving student experiences within the confines of the school walls.”

Among the recommendations to come out of the months-long investigation were the following:

• Revise the Code of Student Conduct to clearly identify what types of conduct fall within which levels and the varying consequences associated with each level;
• Update Student Information System coding to be congruent with the types of offenses listed in the Code of Conduct;
• Create a specific type of offense under the Code of Student Conduct called “discriminatory conduct” with appropriate consequences depending on the age and grade of the offender;
• Train building-level administrative staff and disciplinarians on:
• Updated Code of Student Conduct
• Student Information System coding
• Description detailing so that systemic issues can be tracked
• Bullying policy’s unique standards for addressing out-of-school and social media behavior
• Implement restorative practices as a means for structured engagement between accused, victim and even third parties to restore the relationship/climate and consider the impact of statements and actions on all individuals involved;
• Annually train and direct all staff about reporting potentially discriminatory behavior to administration;
• Continue to hold meetings with pertinent personnel to discuss incidents, student/family concerns, truancy, emerging trends and other impacts on the school environment to avoid isolating individual infractions without seeing the emergence of systemic issues;
• Consider implementing a zero tolerance policy for use of the “N-word” except as necessary for legitimate educational purposes;
• Consider implementing a pronoun use policy and training for staff;
• Improve communications with students, parents and the Lower Dauphin community when incidents in or connected to schools impact student safety or the overall school culture balancing:
• Privacy concerns and legal requirements
• Conveying steps being taken to address the conduct
• Reinforcing expectations for appropriate behavior in school and associated consequences
• Providing resources to parents to address this conduct in their own homes
• Reminding students and/or families of the opportunities they have to report inappropriate behavior, including use of Policy 103 or other reporting mechanisms
• Improve services to English Learner students through staff training and addition of personnel and resources
• Recruit a more diverse applicant pool for employment vacancies.

The Levin Legal Group was retained by the school board on April 22, 2023 and since that time requested 22 categories of information, reviewed over 3,000 pages of responsive materials, made direct outreach to all 33 people who provided public comments to the board, and published an invitation to any member of the Lower Dauphin community to contact the investigator. The firm also conducted interviews with current and former Lower Dauphin employees to seek clarity regarding various incidents or concerns that had been identified; to discuss processes in place; and to obtain feedback on the recommendations contained in the report.

Download the full Executive Summary report from the Monday, October 2, 2023 meeting.  

 

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The Lower Dauphin School District (LDSD) has engaged the Levin Legal Group, P.C., to conduct an independent investigation into allegations of harassment and discrimination based on protected categories within the LDSD schools and a review of policies and procedures utilized by LDSD to determine if efforts to address these allegations have been implemented appropriately and effectively.

If any current or former member of the LDSD community is interested in providing information pertinent to the matters being investigated directly to the Levin Legal Group, please contact Allison Petersen, Esq., at the Levin Legal Group by June 19, 2023, through this dedicated email address, ldsd@levinlegalgroup.com, or by phone to her direct dial at 267-857-4930.

 

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The district plans to move forward with engaging an independent investigator to complete an independent investigation and assessment of the district’s response and management of reports of discrimination and harassment.

The independent review will include an unbiased assessment of all allegations of harassment and discrimination and a review of policies and procedures in place to determine if efforts to address these allegations are being implemented effectively. A forum for submission of concerns will be created, and the assigned independent investigator will schedule interviews and meetings with students, employees, parents, and graduates willing to be interviewed as part of their review.

Upon completion of the investigation, a report will be written and shared with the School Board and the community and will include explicit recommendations to address harassment and discrimination concerns and complaints moving forward. The investigator will also detail practical ways to drive greater leadership and effectiveness, to promote trust and collaboration with the community, and to emphasize the well-being of students, faculty, and staff.