Parents ask Neshaminy School Board for answers after racial slur at high school baseball game

A parent told the Neshaminy School Board during public comment that a Black player was called the n-word multiple times during a March 26 high school baseball game and that the district has not publicly acknowledged or explained what, if anything, it has done in response.

"On March 26, during a high school baseball game between Bensalem and [Chamois], something unacceptable happened," Jacqueline Hicks said at the meeting, reading remarks on behalf of the boy’s father. "A student athlete from Bensalem, the only Black player on his team, was called the n-word multiple times while at bat. The slur came from the direction of the Chamois dugout. This wasn't hearsay. This was captured on live stream video."

Hicks said the video shows the targeted player turning toward the opposing dugout in visible shock and that several adults, including coaches, were present but did not intervene. She said district staff later told the targeted player's family that "the players were hallucinating," and quoted a staff response as: "if you wanna make up lies, we will too." Hicks asked the board two direct questions: what is the district's official stance on slurs and hate speech by students, and what, if any, actions the district has taken in response to the March 26 incident.

Another resident, Tim Locke, also spoke during public comment saying he reviewed multiple videos and did not hear the slur, and questioned why umpires and coaches did not react if the word had been used. "If one word is gonna trigger you, it's that word," Locke said.

Board members did not answer the substance of the questions during the public comment period. A board member later said the board respects speakers and "will talk about it as a board," but did not provide a public update or timeline for investigation or discipline during the meeting. There was no formal action or vote tied to the public comment on this matter recorded in the meeting minutes.

The item was raised during the first public comment period of the meeting; speakers asked for a formal public response from district staff or the board. Board members listed upcoming committee and board meeting dates at the end of the session where further discussion could occur. The district did not provide a timeline for any specific follow-up during this meeting.

The remarks from speakers came during the public comment portion of the April board meeting and were not part of a formal agenda item. The board did not announce any investigative findings, discipline, or formal referrals at the session.