A Black student at a public charter school in Lakewood, Colorado, has filed a lawsuit against the school and its administrators, saying they failed to protect him from racial harassment, The Colorado Sun reported. The student, Jaylen Davis, said his white classmates at Addenbrooke Classical Academy repeatedly made racial remarks and threats when he was a sophomore during the 2024-25 school year. Davis said in his lawsuit that the classmates made fun of him with racial stereotypes and other offensive gestures and insults.
What did Jaylen Davis say about the administrators at his school?
Davis and his mother said principal John Byrne and former executive director Ric Netzer failed to address the harassment despite being told about the issue multiple times. According to the lawsuit, the administrators failed to thoroughly investigate the student’s complaints. Netzer also advised Davis to physically retaliate against the bullies, the lawsuit states.
What are the details of Jaylen Davis’ accusations against his white classmates?
According to CBS News, Davis said in his lawsuit that students continued to touch his hair without permission and gave him a stress ball shaped like a monkey. Additionally, they showed him a video of a person wearing a Burger King crown which featured a racial slur, the complaint states.
Davis’ name also appeared in graffiti in the boys’ bathroom, along with four other male students, per the complaint. The graffiti made references to a slave auction and sexual harassment, the lawsuit stated. Davis said he learned about the graffiti from another student and stopped going to the school during his junior year because he feared for his safety. As he transitioned to online school, Davis said he missed making friends and enjoying extracurricular activities.
Now seeking financial compensation and punitive damages against the administrators, Davis said the school violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
In a statement to CBS Colorado, Addenbrooke Classical Academy said it has not been formally served with the lawsuit, but the school follows all anti-discrimination laws.
“While we have not received formal service of a lawsuit, our policy is not to comment on any potential or pending legal matters,” the school stated. “We can affirm that ACA, in partnership with Jeffco Public Schools, adheres strictly to all federal and state anti-discrimination laws and to district policies aligned with those legal standards. The ACA community is guided by upholding the equal dignity and rights of all individuals and educating students with integrity and virtue to become exemplary citizens.”