N.H. Excessive College Suspends Total Cheerleading Program Throughout Investigation into ‘Poisonous’ Bullying

Londonderry Excessive College officers had been knowledgeable of “a pervasive tradition of bullying, harassment, and discrimination”

A cheerleading program at a New Hampshire highschool has been suspended after faculty officers had been knowledgeable of “a poisonous and pervasive tradition of bullying, harassment, and discrimination.”

In a letter to the neighborhood dated Friday, Londonderry Superintendent Daniel Black addressed the allegations surrounding Londonderry Excessive College (LHS). He wrote that the faculty board, with the backing of the college administration, voted unanimously to halt the cheerleading program till Sept. 23, “at which level the Board will re-evaluate this system’s standing for the rest of the season.”

Black wrote that there had been no findings of wrongdoing within the cheerleading program. He additionally stated the board can be hiring an unbiased investigator to conduct a probe into the accusations.

In the meantime, Black stated the cheerleading coach workers shall be on paid administrative go away till the investigation is accomplished.

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“If the investigation concludes that misconduct has occurred, administration will handle that misconduct via typical disciplinary channels,” Black added. 

He additionally suggested the neighborhood to let the investigator conduct their job and to not interact in hypothesis or rumors, writing: “Any pupil conduct that quantities to bullying or retaliation needs to be reported to the suitable administrator and shall be addressed accordingly.

“Third, whereas your pupil’s conduct in class issues, please even be aware of their conduct on the web,” Black continued. “Board Coverage JICK extends to cyberbullying, and administration will handle these allegations via its typical course of.”

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In his letter, the college superintendent wrote that participation in extracurricular actions is a privilege and that Londonderry college students are held to excessive requirements. “Nonetheless, essentially, extra-curricular actions are an extension of a rigorous program of educational instruction in Londonderry,” Black added, “and the academic part of those extra-curriculars can’t be put apart. Once we obtain allegations {that a} program’s general tradition is perpetuating mistreatment of scholars, we should act swiftly.”

The letter concluded: “We stay up for resolving this matter as shortly as potential and we thanks all to your dedication to creating LHS a protected and respectful surroundings for all college students.”

Captain Patrick Cheetham of the Londonderry police stated, per WMUR, that there is no such thing as a open investigation and that his division shouldn’t be concerned within the matter in the mean time.

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In line with a mission assertion on its web site, Londonderry Excessive College stated it “offers a protected and nurturing surroundings with different alternatives selling good character, tutorial excellence, and accountable citizenship obligatory for future success within the native and world neighborhood.”

The varsity additionally listed a number of civic and social expectations of its college students on the web site, together with “mannequin moral and lawful habits as accountable and accountable residents” and “develop optimistic relationships, show tolerance, and respect variety.”

Londonderry Excessive College didn’t instantly reply to PEOPLE’s request for additional info.

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