Parents Demand Action on Antisemitism

Weston Today photos

Concerned parents filled the Weston Middle School library on Monday evening at the Board of Education meeting, demanding answers and action after the discovery of what a school board message described as an “incident of anti-Semitic vandalism,” the second this year.

To those asking for details on what happened, who did it, and how (or whether) they were dealt with, the school district administration has declined to say anything.

Here is what we know.

From the Weston Police, we know that, last Friday, a swastika was found drawn on a middle school classroom desk. A school counselor was brought in and an administrator began an investigation. A Weston Police officer was also brought in to investigate.

On Monday morning, a possible perpetrator, a student, was identified and questioned by the administrator. According to the police, the student admitted to drawing the swastika and was upset and remorseful. Disciplinary action was taken against the student, the nature of which we do not know. There was no arrest.

All of these steps appear to follow a protocol, one that includes involving the police, established some time ago by the school district. On Monday evening, Superintendent Lisa Barbiero said the protocol had been followed, but provided none of the information we have just reported from the police.

School officials are tightly constrained by FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law that protects the privacy of students. It is not clear that the law prevents officials from saying anything at all. That said, violations of student privacy protections do carry risk of severe penalties.

Calls to address antisemitism

21 citizens spoke at Monday’s Board of Education meeting, beginning with a unified statement by leaders of the four parent-teacher organizations. Speaking for all, Maria Rowbotham said expressions of hate and intolerance appear to be “finding space” in Weston schools.

The statement hailed current district efforts, including assemblies, work with the Anti-Defamation League, and a program to help people understand the history and meaning of symbols such as swastikas. But the statement said these efforts are insufficient, and called for a clear plan of action.

Comments from other speakers included agreement that more needs to be done to combat antisemitism and an observation that those who are not Jewish may not understand the effect a swastika has on Jewish people. Some said they “don’t feel safe here.”

Some suggested that the schools should have an anonymous tip line. Others suggested canceling field trips and other activities when similar incidents occur. More than one called for “naming and shaming” the perpetrator, a public condemnation he or she would carry for life.

A scarlet letter of that sort would certainly run afoul of FERPA. Similar laws restrain police from releasing information about a juvenile offender except in the most serious cases. Even then, disclosure is strictly limited.

Once public comment concluded, Superintendent Barbiero spoke, acknowledging the comments and the “pain, the anger, and the sorrow behind them.” She said, “we clearly need to do better. Acts of hate and antisemitism have no place in our schools.”

Ms. Barbiero said the mission of the schools goes beyond academic education and extends to students developing “an understanding of the impact of their actions.” She said an action plan would be presented at the board’s April meeting.

Superintendent Barbiero