LAYTON, Utah — A lawsuit has been filed in federal court by Ebony Davis, a former student of Layton High School, alleging that her educational experience was severely affected by a culture of racism within the Davis School District. Davis claims this environment led to her departure from the school’s basketball team, which she had been passionate about.
According to the suit, Davis experienced continuous racial harassment beginning in her early school days at Layton High. She recounts episodes where her classmates used racial slurs directed at her, made inappropriate comments about her appearance, and even touched her hair without consent. Some students even went as far as seeking what they referred to as “n-word passes,” further contributing to a hostile environment.
The complaint further alleges that such discriminatory behavior was not limited to students. Davis accuses her former basketball coach, Robert Reisbeck, of making racially insensitive remarks, including belittling her hair and trivializing financial struggles as “White people problems.” During Black History Month, Reisbeck is said to have pointedly told Davis, “It’s your month — we have to treat you special,” comments that Davis found to be demeaning rather than supportive.
The impact of these experiences was profound. Davis reports that the anxiety stemming from the environment at basketball practices was so intense that she began to deliberately underperform academically to become ineligible to play, seeking an escape from the stress.
An assistant coach eventually reported the ongoing harassment, but the lawsuit contends that the school’s administration was slow to respond. Its hesitation came despite a pre-existing federal agreement with the Department of Justice obligating the district to address and rectify instances of racism.
In their defense, the Davis County School District has acknowledged the challenges of completely eradicating harassment and discrimination but reaffirms its commitment to creating a safe educational environment. The district highlighted the strides made in compliance with the 2021 federal settlement, referencing a July 2024 report slated to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented reforms. These reforms span various facets, including policy enhancements, training programs, and the establishment of responsive systems.
In asserting its ongoing dedication to school safety and student inclusivity, the district stated it has put robust processes and systems in place aiming to foster a welcoming environment for all students.
Davis is seeking damages and is calling for increased accountability to ensure that the district adheres to its stated mission of opposing harassment and discrimination.
Following the internal reporting of the incidents, Coach Reisbeck received a written reprimand and was reassigned to another position within the district.
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