MLSD investigating allegations of racism

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District has asked an independent third party to investigate allegations “that racial slurs were being made between students, fans, athletes and parents” at a Saturday basketball game here between Moses Lake High School and Davis High School.

“We are deeply troubled by these claims and reports, but are doing everything we can to get to the bottom of this quickly,” said Superintendent Josh Meek in a statement.

The district “has elected to have a third-party independent investigation completed,” Meek said in the statement, with the purpose of that investigation to “provide a factual assessment of what transpired, determine which of these allegations are credible, and (make) recommendations for corrective action.”

Meek said he has received “over 20 reports of what transpired at the athletic event” which will be handed over to the investigator.

The superintendent also said the investigation “will begin immediately” and will be conducted by a third party “to protect the integrity and seriousness of the claims.”

However, as of press time, the third party had not been named.

“We’re still working on confirming that,” Meek told the CBH. “Stay tuned.”

According to reports, Moses Lake students taunted, harassed and used racist epithets to describe students from Davis High School, a school of about 2,000 students in the Yakima area.

Meek said dealing with the incident is important both for sportsmanship and also for the “mutual respect” students, teachers, parents and sports fans need to show each other.

“Moses Lake is a very diverse school system, where over 53 percent of our students are non-white,” Meek said. “A culture of hate is in no way acceptable, and if these reports are validated corrective action will occur.”