Binghamton School Forum on School Enviornment Met by Demonstrators

The Binghamton City School District is hearing from residents on making a positive learning experience for students while a crowd of protesters outside a June 18 forum also clamored to make sure they were heard concerning the controversial search of four middle school girls earlier this year.

The School District hosted the workshop to talk about addressing academics, school safety, athletics and arts, diversity and relationships.

Dozens of demonstrators outside said they were pushing the issue of the school environment for students of color even as the school year ends. Members of Color of Change and the NAACP said they didn't want the issue of the claimed strip-search of the girls at East Middle School in February to fade out with the end of the school year.

The NAACP is pursuing a lawsuit against the district even though the County District Attorney, an internal investigation, New York State investigation and Binghamton Police investigation found no reason for charges to be pressed against the district or school personnel.