Tensions rise between Elmsford School District and NAACP
Janice Griffith, of the NAACP, says the organization has been trying to reach district officials after receiving complaints from parents and employees about discrimination, a hostile work environment and wrongful terminations.
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Tensions are growing between the Elmsford School District and the White Plains/Greenburgh branch of the NAACP, which says district leaders have not been responsive to concerns about alleged discrimination within the school system.
Janice Griffith, of the NAACP, says the organization has been trying to reach district officials after receiving complaints from parents and employees about discrimination, a hostile work environment and wrongful terminations.
“They have not answered any of my emails or my phone calls,” Griffith said. “We have received many allegations of discrimination, hostile work environments, wrongful terminations. So we want to meet with the school board to talk to them to see what they have to say about this.”
The district previously faced scrutiny in 2019 when the New York State Department of Education conducted a review following accusations from parents alleging systemic racism within the school system.
The president of the White Plains/Greenburgh NAACP said during a meeting of the Elmsford school board that the district has not been cooperative in addressing concerns parents have about systemic racism in the school system.
In response, the district said the superintendent's office attempted several times to contact branch president Janice Griffith but she never responded to an e-mail or phone call.
The district said it invited the public and organizations to have an opportunity to speak at board meetings at the appropriate time.
It pointed out that to remain in compliance with district, state and federal laws, matters concerning individual students and staff are confidential and cannot be discussed with the public or outside organizations.
The NAACP says it hopes district leaders will agree to meet soon so both sides can begin working toward solutions. News 12 will continue to follow this developing story.
