Mayor Walsh Upset With School Department Over Boston Latin Issues
BOSTON (CBS) -- Mayor Marty Walsh said on WBZ NewsRadio 1030's NightSide with Dan Rea Wednesday night that he is upset with the city's school department over not informing him about allegations of racial harassment and discrimination at Boston Latin School when they first arose a year and a half ago.
"The incidents that we're talking about happened a year and a half ago, should have been addressed a year and a half ago," said Walsh. "You know, I'm upset with the school department for, a year ago, understanding and knowing this was going on and not contacting my office."
In January, a Boston Latin High School student group called B.L.A.C.K. (Black Leaders Advocating for Change and Knowledge) released a YouTube video raising concerns about racism at the school. Allegations of civil rights violations at the prestigious Boston high school have prompted a federal investigation.
Walsh said that other elected officials knew about the discrimination issues, but his office was not informed.
"We would have addressed it a year ago and prevented a lot of distraction for the kids in the school, as well as addressed some of the concerns," said Walsh.
Walsh said he looks forward to the federal investigation.
"Having the United States Attorney's Office look at this is getting a set of fresh eyes, and a non-biased opinion on what's going on there and taking a look," said Walsh.
The mayor also said the city may do an investigation of their own.
"My office is looking at doing our own type of inquiry," said Walsh. "And also, not just looking at Latin, but looking across the district to see exactly where we have problem situations. The issues at Latin have been based around race, but we have other issues around schools, potentially based around bullying or things like that."
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports
