Civil rights group files complaint of discriminaton at Durham county schools

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — A national civil rights group has filed a
federal complaint against Durham County schools, alleging a pattern
of discrimination against Latino students.

Jerri Katzerman of the Southern Poverty Law Center says the
group filed the complaint with the U.S. Department of Education
after Durham officials declined to formally negotiate with the
group.

A Durham schools spokeswoman says the district’s lawyers are
reviewing the complaint.

The Montgomery, Alabama based SPLC argues that Durham schools have
failed to provide adequate resources to Latino students and their
parents.

The Department of Education sent a letter to school districts
around the country last Friday reminding them that all students are
entitled to a public education, regardless of legal status.

Latinos make up about 21 percent of the roughly 32,000 students
in Durham public schools.

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