Missouri Attorney General recently launched an investigation into the Hazelwood School District following an after-school fight that resulted in a student being hospitalized with severe head injuries. The Attorney General attributed the incident to the school district's diversity, equity, and inclusion programming, suggesting that the presence of a school resource officer could have prevented the altercation.
The Hazelwood School District, which is predominantly Black, has been accused of racial bias by the Attorney General for its diversity initiatives. The district's lawyer questioned the AG's focus on this particular incident while overlooking similar cases in neighboring districts.
The Hazelwood School District's attempt to mandate diversity training for police officers working in schools led to the removal of school resource officers and the hiring of private security guards. Despite disagreements between police departments and the district, some officers have since returned to school buildings.
The Attorney General's office has requested documents from the school district regarding the fight, emphasizing the absence of school resource officers as a result of the district's alleged prioritization of race-based policies over student safety.
In response, the school district maintains that its diversity initiatives are essential for student safety and learning, emphasizing their commitment to these values as community leaders.
