A disabled high school student from Long Island has filed a lawsuit against the Middle Country Central School District for allegedly doing nothing about a teacher who was investigated for spewing racist insults and bullying the student.
Isabella Rexach-Moore, who attends Centereach High School, claims that her math teacher, Jennifer Brunet, targeted her because of her race and the clothes she wore, calling her a “slut” and complaining about “black kids always being absent.”
Rexach-Moore, who receives special education accommodations due to her anxiety, depression, and bipolar issues, alleges that Brunet repeatedly bullied her last year, as detailed in an internal probe conducted by the district.
The lawsuit claims that despite the district’s investigation, officials failed to act on their findings, and Brunet continued to call out Rexach-Moore behind her back.
Brunet allegedly made racist remarks, starting last September when taking attendance, saying, “I can’t deal with these black kids always being absent,” which was confirmed by several students and the district’s investigation, according to the suit.
Rexach-Moore was the only black student who had absences at the time due to her condition, and she was shocked by the comment. She confronted Brunet about the remark, but the teacher allegedly told her that “there would be no repercussions stemming from her comments.”
In addition to the racist insults, Rexach-Moore also alleges that on October 26, Brunet singled her out for wearing a shirt with an exposed midriff, telling her that she was going to wear the same outfit, but she couldn’t because she would be violating the dress code too.
The teen said other schoolgirls wore a similar shirt, and a school official deemed her attire “not inappropriate and that it in fact did not violate the Student Dress Code,” according to the suit.
Despite this, Brunet allegedly told Rexach-Moore afterward, “I guess I was wrong, so you could keep walking around with your midriff out.”
The Middle Country Central School District stated that it was aware of the allegations in the complaint, and an investigation was immediately opened when the allegations were first brought to the attention of the district.
The district’s investigation resulted in appropriate action being taken. However, Rexach-Moore’s lawyer, Vess Mitev, said they are asking for Brunet to be fired and seeking millions in damages.
Rexach-Moore said that Brunet’s alleged bullying only heightened her anxiety, and on October 31, she had to ask another teacher for permission to go outside and call her mom so she could collect herself.
Because Brunet is still employed, Rexach-Moore’s complaint states the teacher “falsely believes she is beyond and above the law.” Rexach-Moore wants accountability for what happened to her so she can move on and focus on her studies.
»Student Sues Long Island School District Over Teacher’s Alleged Racist Bullying«
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