Parents of three former Kingsway Regional High students file civil rights lawsuit after they received long-term suspensions.

The parents of three former students from Kingsway Regional High School have initiated a civil rights lawsuit against the South Jersey school district, alleging discrimination in their children’s disciplinary treatment. This legal action stems from a March 2023 incident in which the students were involved in a fight at the school, resulting in suspensions that lasted 15 months. The lawsuit contends that the racial background of the five students—who are all Black—contributed to a harsher form of discipline compared to their peers.

The parents claim that the punitive measures taken against the students were excessive and rooted in systemic racial bias, as the students were subjected to what they describe as a hostile school environment. According to data from the New Jersey Department of Education, Black students make up approximately 11.2% of the Kingsway student body but faced suspensions at a rate 3.3 times higher than their white counterparts during the 2022-2023 academic year. This statistic reflects a broader trend in the state’s educational environment, where Black students accounted for nearly 30% of law enforcement referrals and arrests in schools, despite representing only 15.5% of the state’s student population.

In the wake of the fight, the students’ indefinite suspensions were deemed excessively punitive, with their parents asserting that alternative disciplinary approaches should have been considered. They argue that financial burden and the need for relocation to other educational environments were direct consequences of the district’s disciplinary choices.

Despite not responding directly to inquiries regarding the lawsuit, Kingsway School Superintendent James Lavender and board counsel Margaret Miller previously cited student privacy laws as the basis for their lack of comment. The altercation that prompted the disciplinary actions involved students from the school and was reportedly instigated by outside influences. Although charges of simple assault were placed on all five students involved, those charges were later dismissed.

The legal actions taken by the parents highlight ongoing concerns regarding disciplinary disparities in educational settings, particularly as they pertain to race. In light of the lawsuit, it is apparent that the ramifications of school disciplinary actions extend far beyond the immediate context, impacting academic prospects, mental health, and overall well-being of the students involved.

As the case progresses, continued attention will focus on both the legal implications and broader issues of fairness and equity in school discipline across New Jersey and the United States.