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Concerns over discrimination brought to the Central Dauphin School Board

More than a dozen students and parents shared their experiences with racism and discrimination in CDSD and called for change.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Speaker after speaker took time to address the Central Dauphin School Board Monday night to call for change within the district.

"She just casually told me there’s a girl at her school who makes whipping noises at Black kids," one parent said about his daughter.

"I shouldn’t have to come to you to ask that you follow the promises you make of making sure your students are treated equally," a student said to the board.

Senior Brady Domingos, like the others, called on the school board to address racism they’ve experienced in the district.

"It's for every minority student in this district," he said.

This comes after concerns surrounding the death of sophomore Justin Johnson on April 26.

"I didn't know him personally, but I relate to the story," Brady said. "Justin's dad was an immigrant and so was Justin, and my father immigrated to America."

Tonight, board leadership addressed Justin's passing.

"His parents and teachers described him as funny, caring, and a good friend," Central Dauphin School Board President Michael Jacobs said, reading a statement.

His death was ruled to be from natural causes by the Dauphin County Coroner, though authorities are still investigating.

"We hope the community turns to Lower Paxton Township’s Police investigation for the answers, just as we are," Jacobs said.

"This could have been our brother. This could have been our cousin," Brady said. "This could have been our friend, even if we didn't know him."

Brady says a change in the district is overdue.

"This needs to be looked at," he said. "This district needs to be looked into to see these issues and what we can do to make a change."

Brady says district leadership met with students earlier today to learn more about concerns of discrimination in the district directly from them.

However, he worries student voices aren't being heard.

"Three months ago I was here speaking in front of the board about a situation that happened," Brady said, referencing the lockdown at the school caused by when a student brought a firearm into the building. "In between those three months, not much has changed."

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