MIDDLETOWN, PA (AP) — A Pennsylvania School District has announced that its high school football season has been canceled after it received a video that allegedly alleged harassment of team members.
Earlier this month, the Middletown School District announced that it was launching an investigation, which it called “disturbing and upsetting” the video of the August 11 harassment by cell phone. The head football coach resigned a few days after the video was released, authorities said, and Lower Swatara Township police were contacted.
In a letter to parents Wednesday, Superintendent Chelton Hunter said an additional video had surfaced showing that “this harassment is more widespread and involves more students than previously known”.
“This is why we have decided to cancel the 2022 football season,” Hunter said, adding that he knew the decision would affect many students and families and would be “met with mixed views and emotions.”
Team members were in the school’s grassy room used for heat acclimation classes when a cell phone video showed “a group of students tying up two teammates and poking them in the ass using a muscle therapy gun and other gym equipment.” The manager said Monday.
The actors remained fully clothed and without penetration, describing the video as difficult to watch and describing the actions as “totally unacceptable, offensive and highly inappropriate”.
“Harassment with this group in our institutions deserves condemnation. This will not be taken lightly and will not be tolerated,” Hunter said Wednesday. “We know we need to work on this gang culture, educate our students about the danger, and implement programs that help us ensure that such environments are never allowed in our schools.”
Hunter said the second video was also handed over to law enforcement and the county is continuing its own investigation. He promised to discipline all participating students and any staff “who are found to be unaware of such harassment”.
School officials will try to find other opportunities for cheerleaders and marching band in the fall, and alternative plans for the homecoming “normally scheduled for a football game” will be implemented, he said.
Source: Breitbart
