Moses Lake, Yakima School Districts conducting investigation on racism allegations

January 5, 2020 11:01 AM

Connor Sarles,

Posted: January 5, 2020 11:01 AM

by Connor Sarles

MOSES LAKE, Wash. — The Moses Lake School District and Yakima Schools are now carrying out a full investigation on allegations of racism during a high school basketball game in December.

District Officials are working with Summit Law Group to conduct the investigation, starting Monday, January 6.

Both school districts say that they are in close communication and are collaborating to reach a resolution. Additionally, they stress that Summit Law Group has no ties to Moses Lake School District or the Yakima School District, as they operate out of Seattle and Kennewick.

On December 14, Davis High School students played against Moses Lake High School. Davis students and parents both said they had been flipped off by Moses Lake fans, called the ‘n-word’ and needed a police escort just to get back to the bus.

“I am grateful that we live in a time where oppressive and racist behaviors are neither ignored nor sanctioned…” said Yakima District Superintendent Trevor Greene, “For this reason, I’m proud to work with Dr. Joshua Meek and am pleased by steps that he’s taken to assure that racist behaviors are either exposed and condemned or proven to be a misrepresentation of the Moses Lake Community.”

Moses Lake School District Superintendent Dr. Joshua Meek said, “We are deeply troubled by these claims and reports, and are doing everything we can to get to the bottom of this. I appreciate the partnership with the Yakima School District so we can both do what is right for our students, staff, teams, and communities. A culture of hate is in no way acceptable, and if these reports are validated, then corrective action will occur. But most importantly this must serve as a continuing lesson of acceptance and respect that we teach our students.”