METCO rep: Students in ‘weird space’ over racist graffiti in CCHS restroom

Whether racist graffiti in a high school restroom should be deemed a “hate crime” or “a cry for help” was the subject of contention at a recent School Committee meeting. 

After schools Superintendent Laurie Hunter gave her regular update at the November 19 meeting, committee member Michael Williams asked about a hate symbol discovered at Acton-Carlisle High School. Committee METCO representative Ayesha Lawton, who attended the meeting virtually, jumped in to express her frustrations.

“I’ve talked to METCO students, and a lot of students are very disappointed,” Lawton said. “They’re in a weird space right now.” 

The discussion centered on what high school co-Principals Katie Stahl and Brian Miller had described in a joint statement as a “a racist white power symbol” found in a CCHS bathroom after a November 13 school assembly covering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. 

After an at times heated exchange, Hunter said: “Messaging has absolutely been said to the kids as we opened school, what the consequences are and that this is not acceptable. We are also trying to come at it from the other side to build empathy and understanding.”

She continued, “What I am learning about the kids that do this, it is a cry for help for other things, and I cannot say more than that.” 

Lawton responded that “there is a point when we have to put the empathy down,” because “these are hate crimes.” 

In the course of the exchange, Lawton said, “As a parent, I do worry about my son’s safety and for all of the kids of color in the school.”  

Williams agreed but said he appreciated the statement issued by Stahl and Miller, saying “in terms of tone and timing, I would laud” the co-principals. 

Lawton said the consequences must be clearer: “How do we get to a place where the student and the parents feel safe?” 

The school system has been confronted with multiple incidents of racial bias this year. Hunter said multi-day suspensions have been used to discipline students involved in such incidents, and that will continue. 

Committee Chair Andrew Herchek ultimately said the topic should be tabled so that the meeting could continue. Lawton asked Herchek not to interrupt what she was saying. 

Herchek then leaned back in his chair and looked up to the ceiling, spurring Lawton to respond, “You can make those faces; it’s very unprofessional” before continuing.

“What I am saying is this is hurtful to the parent and to the children,” she said. “When we have kids coming home crying about it and being very emotional about it, it’s just hurtful.”

Editor’s note: In a Tuesday, November 25, email to The Acton Bridge, Herchek wrote, “As I clarified with Ayesha after the [meeting], I tend to look at the new microphone/speaker which is above our heads. I was not looking at the ceiling.”