Greater Springfield NAACP calls for Southwick School Committee member’s resignation

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - In new developments on a story that we have been following since last month, the fallout from the racial bullying scandal at Southwick Regional School continues, as the Greater Springfield NAACP is now joining in on the calls for a Southwick School Committee member to step down.

The school committee member named in this lengthy statement from the NAACP is Desiree Melloni.

They allege that her son was among the six juveniles charged in bullying incidents that targeted students of color.

Now, the Greater Springfield NAACP in solidarity with a Southwick Select Board member have one word for her: resign.

This alleged racial bullying inside Southwick Regional School dates back to mid-February, which authorities say included an online slave auction where white students could bid on their black classmates.

We spoke with Allyson Lopez, the mother of a young black student who was victimized by these racist incidents.

She echoed the call for Melloni to step down, saying, “I think there are a couple of people now realizing the need for her to remove herself from this committee, from making decisions in this town, in this district that affects this town, this district of students and the people in this community.”

Lopez also spoke at Tuesday’s school committee meeting, looking straight at Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District Superintendent Jennifer Willard during her fiery remarks.

“My daughter came to school on Monday. A friend told her, ‘You know what? You were in a conversation at a birthday party over the weekend. A little girl was talking about how much she bid on you.’ Do you know that? Was that brought to your attention? I know you know. Should she have to go through that again?”

In part of the the NAACP’s statement, Bishop Swan said:

“What’s appalling is the years of apathy, inaction, and indifference by the school committee, superintendent, and school district that has created a pernicious environment that has divided the community along racial lines. The citizens of Southwick deserve better from their elected school committee members.”

Lopez told us that she wants there to be a school committee meeting to focus solely on this particular issue, saying three minutes per person of public comment is not enough.

She also believes that while the resignation of Melloni would be a start, there needs to be a revamping of the whole committee.

“I think people need to come in and have conversations with them, see where they are, where their mindset is. Do they understand what is happening? How do they want to fix it? Not just holding this political seat because it looks good on their resume. This is important. This is a problem within their district.”

Lopez also acknowledged that she would continue to make her voice heard not just for her daughter but for all students who have faced bullying.

We contacted both school committee member Desiree Melloni and committee chair Robert Stevenson for comment.

We have not yet heard back.