Federal judge approves settlement in Pine Bush anti-Semitic bullying case

WHITE PLAINS – A federal court judge approved a settlement between the Pine Bush Central School District and a group of Jewish students and former students that includes a $4.48 million payment by the district.
Judge Kenneth Karas on Thursday signed off on the settlement, which co-counsel
for the students, Ilann Maazel, called “sweeping” and a “new
day” for Pine Bush.
“It requires a comprehensive anti-bias for every single student in the whole district,” Maazel said.  “It requires teacher training. It requires discipline for offenders. It requires oversight by the federal government and by the judge. It requires removal of all anti-Semitic graffiti promptly. It requires reporting, tracking of incidents.”
The students who brought the lawsuit maintained they were the brunt of anti-Semitic slurs, gestures and bullying by other students in the district and administration did nothing to stop it.