The Paterson school district in New Jersey has come under fire after federal investigators found that officials failed to properly respond to allegations of sexual harassment and assault from students over a five-year period. The Department of Education sent a letter to the district’s chief outlining the failures in handling complaints and documenting investigations into incidents of misconduct. As a result, the district has entered into an agreement with the Department of Education to improve compliance with Title IX regulations.
The district, which is the state’s third-largest, has agreed to take several steps to address the issues, including submitting annual reports on sexual harassment and assault complaints, conducting climate surveys in schools, and providing training to staff and students on responding to harassment claims. Failure to comply with the agreement could result in further action from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Paterson officials have not responded to requests for comment on the findings. The district will now be under increased scrutiny to ensure the safety and well-being of its students in accordance with federal regulations.
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