‘Shared ancestry’ investigation is open in Bellmore-Merrick schools
District officials said they had no knowledge of complaint
According to the U.S. Department of Education, there is an open investigation of a “shared ancestry” complaint in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District. It is one of two such investigations on Long Island, along with one in the Commack School District, in Suffolk County.
Shared ancestry investigations focus on possible violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which requires federally funded institutions to protect students from discrimination based on race, color or national origin. The Education Department has said that includes people of Jewish faith, Muslims and other ethnic and religious groups with shared ancestry.
According to the department’s website, Ed.gov, the Bellmore-Merrick investigation was opened on Aug. 26, but there are no details about why it was initiated. Commack is being investigated because of a complaint about antisemitic and anti-Black graffiti at a district school.
The website explains that civil rights laws “protect all students from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and age.” The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights can investigate complaints that students were subjected to ethnic or ancestral slurs; harassed for how they look, dress or speak in ways linked to ethnicity or ancestry; or stereotyped based on perceived shared ancestral characteristics. Students of Hindu, Jewish, Muslim or Sikh faiths are examples of those who may be discriminated against based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, according to the department.
The agency currently has 153 shared ancestry investigations open, in school districts and universities across the country. A list of the investigations became available to the public last November, at the direction of the Biden-Harris administration, in response to an “alarming” rise in antisemitism, anti-Muslim and anti-Arab discrimination nationwide after the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East.
“Hate has no place in our schools, period,” Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said. “When students are targeted because they are — or are perceived to be — Jewish, Muslim, Arab, Sikh, or any other ethnicity or shared ancestry, schools must act to ensure safe and inclusive educational environments where everyone is free to learn.”
The Education Department updates the list of open investigations weekly. According to an article in EdWeek, a news outlet that covers education, if the Office for Civil Rights moves toward resolving a complaint, it will do so with a resolution agreement that holds its recipients accountable to make changes the office mandates. The office can also offer a resolution agreement to a district or college before an investigation concludes. If the recipient rejects the agreement or fails to comply with its terms, the office can refer the case to the U.S. Department of Justice for judicial proceedings.
According to a letter sent to families on Aug. 29 by Bellmore-Merrick Superintendent Michael Harrington, the district had “no knowledge” of the complaint, and was in contact with the Office of Civil Rights to obtain more information.
“Please be assured that our district takes any allegations regarding discrimination seriously,” Harrington wrote. “We are fully committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students and staff, regardless of background or heritage. Discrimination of any kind is strictly against our values and policies, and we are dedicated to addressing any concerns that may arise.”
Harrington added that as the district learned more about the situation, it would keep the community informed. The Herald contacted a district spokeswoman for comments, but as of press time there were no new details about the investigation.
