FORT MYERS, Fla. — Three attorneys now represent a Fort Myers High School student after claims of racial discrimination and a months-long Title VI investigation.
Attorneys Ben Crump, Marion Reilly and Vince Colella said the African-American student, who was not named in their statement, was targeted and harassed during the 2022-2023 school year after a baseball coach, Alex Carcioppolo, was fired for using a racial slur in a group chat with members of the school’s baseball team in February. Kyle Burchfield, the head coach of the team, was removed in April.
The School District of Lee County launched a Title VI investigation into the incident and found no evidence of institutional discrimination and harassment based on race, color or national origin.
NBC2 obtained this report through a public records request after it was completed in July.
“The self-serving report only highlights the inherent problems with the way discriminatory and harassing behavior is viewed in Lee County,” Crump said in a statement.
A spokesperson for the district said the reporter “speaks for itself” when asked for comment.
Tensions grew among team members, their families and school staff, according to the School District of Lee County’s investigative report.
The student’s attorneys said that students, staff and teachers targeted their client and another minority student. In April, members of the baseball team walked off the field in a game against Estero High School, prompting school officials to forfeit the game and cut the rest of the season short.
“Our firms are committed to using our legal prowess to dismantle racially discriminatory practices,” Reilly said, “and help foster an environment of diversity and respect in athletics.”
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