O’Neal Joins House Leadership in Calling for Investigation into School District of Philadelphia for Discrimination

September 29, 2026

HARRISBURG - Rep. Tim O'Neal (R-Washington), Republican whip, today joined other members of House Republican leadership in penning a letter to Attorney General Dave Sunday calling for his office to investigate the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) for discrimination against Jewish students.

"All children should have equal access to education," O'Neal said. "The reports of alleged behavior by teachers and administrators are alarming. Antisemitism has no place in our society but especially in the classroom. All students should have a safe learning environment and not feel uncomfortable due to their race or religion."

The letter asks Sunday to have his Civil Rights Enforcement Section investigate whether a systemic pattern of discrimination against Jewish students exists in the SDP that consequently prevents these students from equal access to education. In addition, the letter asks Sunday's office to determine if potential violations of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code have occurred in the SDP, including, but not limited to, ethnic intimidation and harassment.

In 2025, the chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives' Education and Workforce Committee launched an investigation into three school districts, including SDP, after receiving reports of Jewish students being harassed and subjected to open antisemitism in classrooms and hallways. A year earlier, SDP settled a federal discrimination case with the U.S. Department of Education after students allegedly taunted Jewish classmates. Despite this settlement, a video circulated in 2025 shows an SDP administrator blaming Israel for the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre of Israeli civilians. In addition, teachers in the school district have been using pro-Palestinian materials.

"It's obvious the School District of Philadelphia is not taking antisemitism seriously," O'Neal added. "Parents have even complained to Gov. Josh Shapiro to no avail. I encourage the attorney general to use his resources to ensure a safe learning environment for all."

A copy of the letter is available by clicking here.

The 48th Legislative District in Washington County covers the city of Washington; Amwell, part of Carroll (Districts 3, 4 and 5), East Finley, Fallowfield, Morris, North Franklin, part of North Strabane (Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5), Nottingham, Somerset, South Franklin, South Strabane, and West Finley townships; and the boroughs of Donora, East Washington and Green Hills.
Representative Tim O'Neal
48th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
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