DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)– Central Dauphin School District is having its first school board meeting on Monday night since the death of high school student, Justin Johnson.

The Dauphin County Coroner ruled Johnson’s death “natural,” caused by sickle cell disease and cardiomyopathy after the 16 year old died on April 26.

During the board meeting students and parents addressed the board about racial discrimination they or their kids have faced.

“My little brother attends Mountain View Elementary, and he comes home and tells me about kids at his school looking at him and treating him differently because he’s a brown kid. I’ve seen how it’s affected him, and it breaks my heart watching my nine-year-old brother coming home to tell me he wishes he was white,” said a student during public comment.

“About 2 to 3 times a month, me and my mom do my sister’s hair, who is only eight years old. She cries and says she hates her hair because when she wears it natural to school, the kids bully her. So, we keep her hair done so she can feel comfortable and confident,” said a student during public comment.

One parent speaking about a recent conversation he has with his daughter at breakfast.

“She just casually told me that there’s a kid at her school that makes flipping noises towards black kids. I asked her, how can we all say anything? She just said, nothing’s going to happen. So, she didn’t say anything about it,” said a parent during public comment.

One student saying this to the board, “We could all go on and on about what we experienced but there’s simply not enough time in the day to get all of that out.”

While there was no response from the board to the emotional public comment, Board President Michael Jacobs shared a statement at the start of the meeting- in part saying, “Earlier today, I had the opportunity to meet with and listen to several East High students discuss their concerns about our district. They are absolutely an impressive group of young people.”

Jacobs also said about Johnson, losing a student is heartbreaking, he was a great kid, his peers and teachers described him as funny, caring and a good friend.

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On the night he died, classmates came to Johnson’s Dauphin County home to play what Dauphin County officials are calling a tag game, also known as “Senior Assassin.” Security footage shows the boys chasing Johnson and at one moment you can hear racially insensitive language being used.

This video sparked outrage online and on Friday, students protested outside the school district’s administration building, calling for justice for Johnson.

Lower Paxton Township Police say their investigation is ongoing but may conclude this week. Johnson’s family has also hired a private attorney to review the incident.

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