By John Schwing

WESTPORT — Westport’s school superintendent says there is “no merit” to a recently filed lawsuit alleging that players on the Staples High School junior varsity lacrosse racially taunted a Black player on a visiting team from Glastonbury last month.

Supt. of Schools Thomas Scarice, in a statement Thursday afternoon, said local school officials plan to “vigorously defend” the school district against the lawsuit’s claims.

“We take allegations of race-based harassment, discrimination or other conduct extremely seriously,” Scarice said. “We stand ready to take action in response to any such conduct that has occurred in connection with our schools.”

In this case, however, he said, “We carefully reviewed this matter when it was brought to our attention, and we have determined that there is no merit to the allegations in the suit. We intend to vigorously defend the district in this lawsuit.”

The lawsuit was filed May 25 in Hartford Superior Court by Merlisa Chance and her 15-year-old son, Brayden Chance — the player allegedly targeted by racial taunts mimicking monkey sounds made by Staples players during a May 10 game between the junior varsity lacrosse teams in Westport.

In addition to the Westport Board of Education and Staples High School, the suit is filed against several academic and athletic officials of Glastonbury High School.

“When the game started, players from SHS [Staples] on the field and on the sidelines made loud monkey noises to Brayden whenever Brayden was on the field,” according to the lawsuit.

The suit contends that Glastonbury coach Christopher Driscoll — who is also being sued — failed to discuss the issue with the Staples coach, and that when Brayden returned to the field after half-time, the taunting resumed. That prompted him to leave the field and return to bench, the suit states.

The incident, and the alleged failure by Glastonbury school officials to later address the Chances’ concerns over the alleged racial harassment, caused Brayden to “suffer severe emotional distress.” And, the lawsuit continues, he “no longer wants anything to do with the lacrosse team.”

In addition to Driscoll, the lawsuit names Glastonbury High School, the Glastonbury Board of Education and Trish Witkin, the athletic director at Glastonbury High School.

The lawsuit is seeking monetary and punitive damages.

John Schwing, the Westport Journal consulting editor, has held senior editorial and writing posts at southwestern Connecticut media outlets for four decades. Learn more about us here.