'Disturbing and Unacceptable:' Hate-Based Vandalism at MoCo Schools

ROCKVILLE, MD — Swastikas and other symbols of hate are wrong and won't be tolerated by Montgomery County Public Schools, Superintendent Jack Smith said Tuesday.

“In recent weeks, Montgomery County Public Schools has seen a surge in hate-related vandalism in our schools and on school property. This trend is disturbing and unacceptable," Smith said.

Last week at Westland Middle School in Bethesda, swastikas were drawn on the mirrors and walls of a boys' restroom. A $10,000 reward for an arrest in the case was announced Monday.

And in late October, images of Nazi swastikas and male genitalia were spray-painted above the entrance to Burning Tree Elementary School in Bethesda. The school is used on the weekend by a Jewish congregation for services.

Similar symbols were marked on the grass of the Quince Orchard High School football field in Gaithersburg the week before the Burning Tree incident. Police say vandals used some sort of a caustic substance to deface the field surface with a swastika and male genitalia.

In all three cases, Montgomery County Police have called the vandalism a hate crime.

The full statement by Smith about recent hate-related vandalism at area schools says:

“In recent weeks, Montgomery County Public Schools has seen a surge in hate-related vandalism in our schools and on school property. This trend is disturbing and unacceptable. These actions are a violation of school policy, a violation of the law, and simply wrong. Students engaged in this behavior will be disciplined to the fullest extent possible in accordance with MCPS policy. The MCPS Department of School Safety and Security is working closely with the Montgomery County Police Department to investigate these acts of vandalism and to ensure that our schools remain safe places to learn.

“Let me be perfectly clear—MCPS respects the right to free speech that is codified in the Student Code of Conduct—but does not and will not tolerate hate-based speech or behavior in our school communities.

“MCPS is a diverse community that is built on a foundation of respect for all. This means respecting the rich diversity of our 159,000 students and 23,000 employees. Our differences in backgrounds, races, faiths, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, political preferences and gender identities are an opportunity to celebrate and learn, not discriminate and denigrate.

“MCPS is a safe and welcoming place for all students and staff and we will take all appropriate steps to ensure it remains that way.”