Rhode Island officials reviewing Smithfield Public Schools antisemitic hazing incident handling

SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Governor Dan McKee said Wednesday that state officials are reviewing Smithfield Public Schools’ response to an antisemitic hazing incident that has drawn widespread criticism.

Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green has been in communication with Smithfield Superintendent Dawn Bartz as the state looks into how the district handled the situation.

The family of a Smithfield High School student targeted in an antisemitic hazing incident has reached out to police.

Smithfield police confirmed the family met with officers on Monday and filed a report, though no formal criminal charges have been made at this time.

A spokesperson for Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said Tuesday the office is aware of the situation but offered no additional comment.

The development comes amid growing scrutiny of how the Smithfield School District handled allegations of hazing and antisemitic behavior involving members of the high school football team.

According to Adam Greenman, president and CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, several football players allegedly trapped a freshman student in a bathroom late last month, sprayed him with a bottle, and shouted antisemitic slurs.

Superintendent Dawn Bartz confirmed on October 10 that the district’s investigation found “inappropriate conduct among a small number of students.” She said disciplinary action had been taken under school policy, adding that “several student-athletes will not participate for the remainder of the season.”

However, Greenman said the organization later learned that five of the players had returned to practice the following week.

When asked to clarify, Bartz declined to comment, saying only that the disciplinary process was complete and that the district would not discuss matters involving students.

Smithfield antisemitic hazing incident.