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Ex-student sues school, claiming racial offenses

HARRISBURG — A black former student is suing because he contends his southern Illinois high school didn’t protect him from racially motivated acts, which he says included being left a noose with his name on it.

The federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Benton is on behalf of Roman Moore, who graduated from Harrisburg High School last May.

The lawsuit claims principal Karen Crank and the school board knowingly allowed racially motivated acts against Moore and that officials didn’t reprimand students for the noose he says was found in the high school’s locker room a year ago.

Crank’s office directed calls Wednesday to Superintendent Dennis Smith. He says he hasn’t yet seen the lawsuit and deferred comment, other than to say there’s a question abou5t whether the rope was actually a noose.

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