DOJ settles with Massachusetts school district over antisemitic harassment of Jewish students

The Department of Justice announced this week that it has reached a voluntary settlement agreement with the Concord-Carlisle, Massachusetts School District after investigating allegations that Jewish students faced antisemitic harassment from their peers and no action was taken by administrators.

The agreement resolves a federal probe launched under Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which governs complaints involving harassment based on religion, race, and national origin.

According to the DOJ, the district saw a string of antisemitic incidents between 2023 and 2025 at both the middle school and high school levels. Those incidents reportedly included repeated swastika graffiti and students using the word “Jew” as a slur against Jewish classmates.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said the administration is taking a hard line on antisemitism in schools. “The Department will not tolerate antisemitic harassment of students at any level of education,” Dhillon said. “School districts, like colleges and universities, must take prompt and effective action to address antisemitic harassment when it creates a hostile environment for Jewish students and must keep taking action until Jewish students are once again safe and welcome at their school.”

The DOJ opened its investigation in March 2025. In response, the Concord-Carlisle district implemented a series of reforms aimed at addressing antisemitism, including working with stakeholders and providing additional training to staff on how to respond to such incidents.

Federal officials said the district cooperated with the investigation and agreed to take further action under the settlement. Under the agreement, the district will review and revise its policies, improve how it identifies and responds to complaints, protect students from retaliation, and carry out full investigations into alleged harassment. It will also be required to take corrective action where necessary, including creating safety and support plans for victims and, in some cases, issuing public statements in response to incidents.

The district must also appoint an employee at the district level to oversee compliance and provide additional training for both staff and students on harassment policies and procedures. The DOJ said it will continue monitoring the district’s compliance with the settlement, while the district will keep the public informed about its efforts to combat antisemitism.