Neronha requests records from Smithfield schools on alleged anti-Semitic hazing incident
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha has requested information from an attorney representing Smithfield Public Schools related to an alleged anti-Semitic hazing and bullying incident of a Jewish Smithfield High School student.
According to the letter sent by Neronha and Special Assistant Attorney General Megan Rok to Attorney Sean Clough, the AG’s Office of Civil Rights Advocate is seeking the information for their civil investigation into the complaint.
The complaint was lodged by a parent of a Smithfield High School student, alleging that other students assaulted and harassed their child “based on his Jewish ancestry/ethnicity and religion” on September 30, 2025.
This alleged incident is reported to have taken place in the locker room before football practice on that date.
Five students accused in the alleged incident have been reinstated to the team, according to a joint statement from the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center and the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.
The complainant alleges that the Smithfield School District “did not take steps reasonably calculated to eliminate any hostile environment and its effects and prevent harassment from recurring,” according to the AG.
The AG’s letter requested five points of information from the Smithfield School District.
This includes copies of Smithfield schools’ nondiscrimination and anti-harassment policies and the means by which they are communicated to students and families.
The school district’s policies and procedures regarding investigation of race, ethnicity, national origin or religion-based harassment and assault were requested in the second point.
Point three requested information regarding disciplinary policy dating back to the 2022-2023 school year.
The inquiry specifically asks for disciplinary policy regarding race-based harassment, disciplinary actions taken “with respect to high school athletes,” and the provisions of services to any victims.
The fourth point requests copies of documentation related to the district and school’s handling of the alleged Sept. 30 incident.
Any decisions regarding the alleged incident were also requested, along with communication with the alleged victim and their parents.
Communications between the alleged perpetrators, their families and the school were also requested.
The letter ends on the fifth point of requested information, which asks for copies of any discrimination-based complaints at the school dating back to the 2022-2023 school year.
Smithfield Public Schools Superintendent Dawn Bartz commented Thursday on the reported reinstatement of the high school football players accused in the incident.
The statement reads in part:
Our district has taken this matter seriously and acted in accordance with our policies. The School Committee is meeting on Monday evening to review and discuss this situation and ensure all actions have aligned with our district’s processes.
