Parents and district press response after alleged incidents at Elmont–Bellmore-Merrick games

Dozens of parents and community members pressed Sewanhaka Central High School District leaders on March 25 about alleged racially charged incidents at athletic contests between Elmont Memorial High School and teams from the Bellmore‑Merrick Central High School District.

The push for clearer safeguards followed a February town hall in which parents raised concerns about spectator and player behavior. During public comment at the board meeting, several Elmont parents and community members asked how the district will prevent future incidents and whether the response announced by the district reflects a durable plan.

The superintendent said the district "does not and will not tolerate any form of hate towards our students" and that the district has met with parents, coaches, administrators, Section 8 officials and leaders from Bellmore‑Merrick. The superintendent added that "measures will be taken to accompany our student athletes to away games to ensure that the competitions are safe for all participants." The superintendent also said district leaders met in person with roughly 45 current Elmont student athletes and with parents as part of ongoing discussions.

Community speakers described a pattern of incidents they said dates to 2019 and urged clearer reporting, accountability and follow‑through. Tito, speaking from Elmont and identifying himself with the "dad's club," asked, "How will you accomplish this goal?" He said the issue "seems to be ongoing" and pressed whether the district's statement means new steps are in place. John Johnson, leader of the Elmont dads club, asked why the district's ruling came "so quickly" after the town hall and urged the board to ensure any plan includes protections and follow‑up.

Parents and local club leaders also urged stronger processes for reporting and support for affected students. One parent urged better access to DASA (the state's Dignity for All Students Act) complaint mechanisms and said some students have been reluctant to report incidents. The superintendent responded that building principals, assistant principals and clinicians are trained DASA coordinators and that the district has been reminding student athletes at the start of each season how to report harassment and discrimination.

Speakers asked about referee accountability and implicit bias. Terrence Campbell, who identified himself as a coach and referee, asked whether referees are held responsible; the superintendent said Section 8 (the county athletic organization overseeing those competitions) handles referee review and discipline and that the district has participated in committees addressing those issues.

Multiple speakers pressed for a standing committee to work with the community and district officials on future prevention, investigation and communication. The superintendent said a committee has been discussed and that district leaders can begin convening stakeholders without waiting for another incident.

The board did not take a formal vote on district policy at the meeting. The superintendent reiterated the district will continue to schedule competitive games with Bellmore‑Merrick "as indicated under the jurisdiction of Section 8," while reiterating a commitment to enforcement of the athletic code of conduct and follow‑up with other districts and Section 8.

The board said it will continue outreach and follow up with individual parents who raised concerns at the meeting; the next regular board meeting and the budget adoption meeting are scheduled for April 24 in the same boardroom.