Complaint Filed Against Christian School for Racism

Pine Bush, NYChapel Fields Christian School has always been a school that has offered scholarships to inner city kids and orphans in Africa that allows them to attend the school. The kids that are offered these scholarships are primarily black. But now the school is being sued for expelling a student accused of sexual improprieties because of the color of his skin, which is black.

The lawsuit has been filed in federal court by the mother of Gerald Cheers of Newburgh, New York and her lawyer Michael Sussman, who has filed a number of actions against schools accused of civil rights violations. Cheers alleges that the school expelled him because he is black and that he was insulted and bigoted by a number of staff members at the school. In the end, he says he was expelled.

The lawsuit is alleging that the school broke a number of state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

The Headmaster, William Spanjer, says that the student was not expelled, but was placed on suspension after other students made allegations that he was making sexual advances and sexual remarks. The number of students that complained are said to be over a dozen. Spanjer further stated that it was Cheers' mother that voluntarily withdrew him from the school in order for him to attend a school somewhere else.

Spanjer says that he had received a report that a student was harassing female students. When the situation was looked into, he says that 14 to 15 students, both female and male, were familiar with the harassment situation. The boy was accused of pointing out certain girls that he wanted to have sex with and was telling others about his sexual exploits. Spanjer says he had to suspend Cheers, but did not expel him. He further states that Cheers was told to go home, that the school would help him get his work done, but his mother made the decision to transfer him to another school. After that, the lawsuit for race discrimination was brought against the school.

Cheers denied any inappropriate behavior during a meeting with school officials, although school officials say that they uncovered problems that a previous school had had with him. Spanjer says that the evidence presented by other students is quite overwhelming and that white students have been suspended in the past for exhibiting similar behavior, so it is not a race issue.

At this time, both sides are exchanging statements and affidavits, but the case is going to be rather costly to the school. The cost will be approximately $30,000 by the time the case reaches trial. Many who work for the school receive salaries that do not exceed $18,000 per year. However, the school does have a defense fund and the attorneys have agreed with the school to discount the cost of the services. Spanjer believes that the plaintiffs will not be able to prove discrimination, but says that fighting them is going to have an impact on the 300 students that they serve.

Spanjer is hoping that a judge will side with the school in the case and agree to a dismissal. In the meantime, Cheers stands by his statement that he did nothing wrong.

By Ginger Gillenwater