March 17

First Article published 

On Mar. 17, 2023 a PennLive article was released on the topic of racism in the Lower Dauphin High School. 

In response to these accusations the Lower Dauphin administration called a school board meeting for Mar. 27. 

In the original article, PennLive had interviewed student Kamau Johnson and his sister Shekinah Jamison. It starts with the altercation between Johnson and another student on the bus. Johnson had asked the student why he had been calling his friend a racial slur. After the two stepped off the bus they got into a physical altercation. After this incident Johnson was handed a three day suspension.

Johnson’s sister was asked about her experience with racism in school. She says she hears students using racial slurs, not directed at anyone, in the hallways day after day. “They talk amongst themselves and say it over and over.” Jamison says. “Nothing happens. There’s no discipline. It’s become normal for students to say things like that.”

PennLive asked Superintendent Rob Schultz and Principal Justin Hanula for interviews, Jim Hazen, the district spokesman, responded with a written statement. “The Lower Dauphin School District takes all incidents of discrimination and racially motivated speech very seriously,” he wrote. 

Delali Jamison, Kamau Johnson and Shekinah Jamison’s mom, says that despite her meeting with the principal nothing has been done. 

More students and parents came out with their stories of discrimination during the Mar. 27 meeting. Lasting three hours, the meeting contained tears from parents, stories of families leaving the district and many more student stories. Many students told stories of discrimination outside of racism, whether about their sexual orientation or their ethnic backgrounds.

In a written statement by students that was read by two parents dozens of students detailed their experiences. Students shared how the discrimination has had psychological effects on them, some even having suicidal intentions. 

The district’s first in school action was assemblies held by Principal Hanula. Many parents were outraged, though. The assembly only lasted a few minutes and only briefly covered the problem at hand. 

The initial report made by Delali Jamison has brought to light a real problem in the Lower Dauphin School District. 

On Friday Mar. 31 Superintendent Dr. Robert Schultz resigned from his position.

March 24 

Student Assembly 

March 27 

First Board Meeting 

March 28 

Second Article Published 

March 31 

Dr. Schultz resigns from Superintendent position beginning June 3

April 3 

Second Board Meeting 

In response to the racial discrimination and bullying accusations against the Lower Dauphin School district, a board meeting was held on Apr. 3rd. 

The Lower Dauphin board of education and its officials, also made up of Superintendent Schultz, sat in front of several speakers, listening to their personal perspectives, opinions, and accounts of what has occurred towards their kids or students. 

Prior to the guest speakers sharing their voices, Mrs. Lynn Sassaman, president of the school board, made a speech addressing the efforts of Lower Dauphin High School. She explains how they take ownership of all accusations that have been made, but are frustrated to hear them. She states that they hear students’ voices, but are asking for patience until further efforts ensue. 

Students, teachers, parents and alumni of Lower Dauphin spoke up in this one-and-a-half-hour long meeting at the LD Middle School. Some who attended the last board meeting on Mar. 27th also came to speak again. 

One parent spoke of how the name calling and bullying has been swept under the rug, and we need to take action and work together to understand it and fix it. She described that the school has a ‘problemtunity,’ where there is a problem, but there is an opportunity to fix it, and it should be followed through with. 

The audience appeared to take these statements without much surprise, as more and more parents came to the stand, reiterating how students’ health and education has been greatly affected by this, how people of different races are not respected, and how we as a school are brushing it off. 

A senior student at LDHS also vocalized his opinions, specifically standing for recently suspended history teacher, Mr. Clint Fackler. He claimed that the Google Doc created by a student highlighting Fackler’s random quotes, was missing context. The senior then gave reason and context to several quotes mentioned in the Google Doc. 

The numerous incidents brought to light by students and parents alike, were recognized and heard by the school board.