'Racial Slurs' By Students At LI School Football Game Spark Response

RIVERHEAD, NY — An altercation that sparked "racial slurs" during a football game in the Riverhead school district has led to a call for disciplinary action and change.

On Monday, Dr. Augustine E. Tornatore, superintendent of schools, sent out a message to the Blue Waves community.

The incident took place on September 9 and involved a Riverhead Middle School student, a Riverhead High School student, a third, out-of-district individual and several Riverhead parents of young children, he said.

The interaction began at the Pulaski Street Intermediate School playground and continued in the stands of the high school football field near the end of that Saturday’s game, Tornatore said.

The incident was also the focus of discussion at a recent Board of Education meeting on September 12, he said.

"What we currently know, based on our investigation into this incident, is that there was an altercation between the two Riverhead students and the non-Riverhead individual and the parents of the young children at the playground," Tornatore said. "Based on a review of the video footage from the Pulaski playground, it appeared words were being exchanged. The students then relocated themselves to the stands at the football field, with the adults involved in the Pulaski interaction following."

According to several individuals who witnessed the ongoing interaction in the stands, Tornatore said, "racial slurs were voiced, as well as defamatory gestures being exhibited toward the adults."

News 12 reported that "a middle school and high school student pushed two young children and used a racial slur against their mother."

When asked to confirm that information, the district responded: "As the investigation continues and more information can be made available to the public, the district will continue to keep the community informed."

Riverhead Town police, already stationed at the stadium for the game, became involved and filed a report, Tornatore added.

The district opened its investigation the week following the game; that investigation included the review of the Pulaski videotape, a review of the police report, interviews with the two Riverhead students by the Riverhead High School and Middle School administration and interviews with individuals who witnessed the interactions, Tornatore said.

The investigation is currently ongoing, he added.

"Based on the results of the district’s investigation, any disciplinary action warranted by those findings will be taken," Tornatore said.

In accordance with student privacy laws, that information cannot and will not be shared publicly, he added.

"We are, of course, disturbed by this incident and the alleged use of racial slurs and other unacceptable behavior that may have been exhibited during this incident," Tornatore said.

As noted by Board of Education President Colin Palmer at the board’s September 12 meeting, the district will be looking to enhance its programming related to racial relations, he said.

To that end, the district will be meeting this week with members of the Heart of Riverhead Civic Association and will be asking for input from the town’s Anti-Bias Task Force regarding additional programming that might be incorporated into student curriculum, Tornatore said.

"We would like to take this opportunity to remind our students and families of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association guidelines that are to be followed at all athletic competitions," he added.