Mansfield Public Schools Receives Results of Outside Forensic Investigation into Social Media Video of Varsity Basketball Game

MANSFIELD –  Mansfield Public Schools Superintendent Teresa Murphy reports that the school district has received and accepted the results of an outside firm that was hired to conduct an investigation after a video was circulated on social media in early February that was reportedly showing a fan at a varsity boy’s basketball game uttering a racial slur during a free throw attempt by an opposing player from Sharon.

The district retained Attorney Jeffrey Sankey to conduct an independent investigation which included interviews of school faculty and students and an analysis of audio and video of several basketball games. An additional forensic analysis of the video and audio tracks that were circulated, conducted by Arlo West, ACFEI, AES, PPSC, NYIFA, of Creative Forensic Services, concluded that no racial slur was uttered. 

“Based on all this information, as corroborated by the scientific analysis of a forensic audio expert, I conclude that there is no credible evidence that the words heard at the basketball game were a racial slur,” Attorney Sankey said.

Assistant Superintendent Michael Connolly, the District’s Civil Rights Coordinator, has accepted the conclusions of the investigators. Superintendent Murphy, Principal Russell Booth and Mansfield Athletic Director Timothy Selmon have been in contact with their counterparts at the Sharon Public Schools and have shared the results of the investigation with them.

The executive summary report is considered a public record, and it is being released with only legally-required redactions. The document may be downloaded HERE. 

“The Mansfield Public Schools treats reports of this nature with the utmost seriousness and concern. It is not only the obligation of the school to investigate this allegation, but it also reflects our commitment to provide all students, including visiting students, with an educational environment that is healthy, safe and supportive” Superintendent Murphy said. “I appreciate that this concern was brought to our attention. The allegations raised warranted a thorough outside review, and we accept the results of the investigation.” 

Superintendent Murphy, Assistant Superintendent Donoghue, Principal Booth, Assistant Principal McGuire, Assistant Principal Noto, Athletic Director Selmon, Assistant Athletic Director Redding, Coach Dunlea, Coach DeGirolamo, SRO Wright and SRO McCune were all in attendance at that game.  The district leadership team will continue to be visible, along with Mansfield students, at future sporting events.

“The Nest, our student section, is always supportive of our student athletes and they create a fun, positive, enthusiastic environment so that all of us who are fans can enjoy the games,” Superintendent Murphy said. “This has been a difficult moment for our school community and particularly for our students who are vocal during the games, so I am pleased that the outside investigator reached a clear and definitive conclusion. I look forward to the excitement of the student athletes on the court and hearing the loud cheers from the Nest as we begin the playoff season.” 

The district considers this matter closed.

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