Attorney General Neronha’s Findings into Smithfield HS Football Hazing, Anti-Semitic Incident

Attorney General Finds Failures in Smithfield Schools’ Handling of Hazing, Antisemitism Incident

The case stems from a September 29, 2025 incident at Smithfield High School involving members of the varsity football team and a freshman student who is Jewish. According to multiple reports and witness accounts, two senior players allegedly locked the freshman inside a locker room bathroom, barricading the door and spraying disinfectant inside while making antisemitic remarks. Other players were present, and some later acknowledged varying levels of involvement.

School officials initially suspended several players from the team for the remainder of the season, but those suspensions were later reduced following an appeal, allowing the students to return to practice within weeks. The decision drew significant backlash from community members and Jewish advocacy organizations, who questioned both the handling of the incident and the reversal of disciplinary action after the school brought in the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island to provide programming on antisemitism.

The Alliance conducted an initial session with students, but did not return for additional programming. The Alliance later took a more public role in the controversy, calling for accountability and helping bring broader attention to the case. Adam Greenman’s dual role as head of the Alliance and a candidate for mayor of Pawtucket heightened his public visibility as the issue gained traction.  Later, the Alliance said they would no longer be involved in working with the school.

Because the students were seniors, discipline came at a critical point in their final season — a time when game participation can influence postseason opportunities – and potential recruitment at the college level.

The controversy prompted calls for greater accountability and ultimately led to a civil rights complaint and a formal investigation by the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office.

Attorney General Neronha concluded the office’s investigation into Smithfield Public Schools for 2025 hazing incident and AG issues report; enters into agreement with District guiding corrective actions.

Here is the AG’s statement, in full:

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today announced an agreement with Smithfield Public Schools (the District) which responds to a civil rights complaint concerning the school district’s failure to respond appropriately to an incident involving the bullying of a Smithfield freshman which reportedly involved antisemitic epithets and conduct. The Resolution, which was approved this evening by the Smithfield Public School Committee, outlines a series of preventative and corrective actions to which the District must adhere. Additionally, the Attorney General released a Letter of Resolution sent to the Smithfield Public School Committee Chair today, which also serves as the Office’s report on its investigation.

The Office of the Attorney General conducted this investigation to determine whether the District complied with state law protecting civil rights, pursuant to its authority under the Office of the Civil Rights Advocate.

“Our children deserve to grow up without fear of violence and discrimination,” said Attorney General Neronha. “School is where our kids spend their formative years; it should be a place of growth and exploration, not fear and intimidation. Our schools should be places where our children feel safe and supported, which was not the case for a Smithfield freshman on September 29, 2025.

Through an extensive and thorough investigation by my Office, we identified several failures by the District in its handling of the incident itself, and in the months following. As such, and at the request of my Office, the District has agreed to a five-part resolution which we believe will foster a better, safer environment for students and prevent something like this from happening again. I want to thank the victim for his bravery in coming forward and telling his story, and the District for their commitment to do better when it comes to protecting our children.”

The Office’s investigation found that:

• The District struggled to properly investigate the alleged hazing and antisemitism incident when initially reported and did not take steps meaningfully calculated to ascertain and address potential violations of the student code of conduct;
• After the District belatedly determined an investigation was needed, that investigation had significant issues, including a lack of documentation, failure to use established procedures for documentation, failure to make clear factual findings as to the nature of the offenses and the involved parties’ respective levels of culpability, and failure to communicate the disciplinary consequences to all parties;
• The District appears not to have abided by its own disciplinary policies and procedures, which require investigation of student discipline matters in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations;
• The District failed to fully address the victim’s rights, including failing to implement a safety plan that would address the offending students’ return to the team; and
• The District has not adequately considered whether its handling of this incident has created or contributed to a hostile environment on the basis of shared Jewish ancestry/ethnicity at the high school that may interfere with students’ ability to participate in or benefit from its educational program.

Per the Resolution, the District agrees to address the aforementioned deficiencies by implementing the following improvement measures:

• Review its existing policies and procedures and make any amendments, or adopt any additional policies and procedures, necessary to effectively prohibit and address harassment, bullying, and misconduct as well as retaliation or threats of retaliation for reporting or participating in an investigation into such incidents;
• Provide administrators, teachers, coaches, and staff with sufficient training and support to permit them to effectively implement these policies and procedures;
• Provide all students age-appropriate programming sufficient to develop the skills, knowledge, and strategies needed to prevent antisemitic discrimination that specifically addresses harassment based on shared Jewish ancestry/ethnicity and that reinforces the school district’s commitment to having a school environment free from such discrimination;
• Administer a voluntary climate survey to Smithfield High School students and their parents/guardians that includes gathering information to assess whether the school district’s handling of this incident has created or contributed to a hostile environment based on Jewish ancestry/ethnicity that may interfere with students’ ability to participate in or benefit from its educational program so that the District can better identify the scope and type of interventions to implement to eliminate any hostile environment, prevent it from recurring, and, as appropriate, remedy its effects; and
• Develop a written protocol that incorporates best practices for ensuring victims’ rights and providing support to victims after the District receives notice of alleged discrimination or bullying and during the investigative process to ensure safe and equal access to educational programs and activities.

To learn more about the Office’s Civil & Community Rights Unit, including how to file a complaint, visit the AG’s website.