Andover High Students Paint Rock, Walk Out In Fallout Of Fight

ANDOVER, MA — Andover High students face potential discipline for painting the rock in front of the school and walking out of classes without permission from the administration, Principal Philip Conrad said in an email to parents Thursday. Students painted "Black Lives Matter" onto the rock Wednesday night, in protest of the treatment of one student following a fight at the school Wednesday, according to the student's mother. The walkout occurred around 11 a.m. Thursday. It's unclear how many students participated.

The latest re-painting of the rock comes after it was painted three times in the last week, twice with permission. Patch is awaiting comment from the school administration.

The mother, Wendy Presinal, said her son was taken to the hospital for an evaluation after the apparent fight, and received a two week suspension. No details are available on the other student's discipline. Conrad's email said discipline is still being determined for involved students. Presinal's son is "Hispanic, dark-skinned," she said. Students decided to paint the rock in support of her son, she said. According to the email to parents, the students asked permission, but went forward with painting before receiving it.

"I asked for the students to wait until we were able to meet and hold a collaborative conversation. They disregarded my offer and painted the rock without permission," wrote Conrad.

"The “rock” is on school property and the administration had always welcomed the students to create positive messages for the AHS community to see as they enter the building. Anyone painting on the rock needs the permission of the administration prior to doing so," he continued.

Any students involved in the walkout are similarly liable for discipline, Conrad wrote.

"Thursday morning, some students walked out of class.This walkout had not been communicated to us in any way and therefore cannot be classified as a student demonstration that had been mutually agreed upon. Therefore, any student who left class and/or the school may be subject to discipline as classified in the AHS handbook. All student information and discipline is considered private, and I am not able to comment further."

The recent cycle of rock painting began last Friday, when it was painted rainbow colors for National Coming Out day, with permission. That coat of paint was "defaced" overnight, according to a separate email from the Superintendent Sheldon Berman. Photographs show the words and acronyms "MAGA 2020," "NRA," and "F--- AHS."

"Those who vandalized the rock have not been identified," according to Berman.

The vandalism was painted over by facilities, and then "the AHS Gender Sexuality Alliance, along with members of the community, restored the rock to reflect the symbolism of National Coming Out day, which is a day to celebrate and promote inclusion and acceptance," Berman's email continued.

"The support the public showed for these students is reflective of the best of our community."

No details are available at this time regarding the cause or extent of the fight. Conrad's email was brief regarding the fight.

"There was a physical altercation between two students during a morning class. First responders were called to the school. I am still in the process of determining discipline for the students involved. Additionally, there were students present during the time of the incident who interfered with the first responders; they may also face disciplinary actions."

The rock at Andover High has been a frequent flash point in recent years; students have used it to protest the dismissal of a hockey coach. Historically, the rock is often painted with messages marking graduation and big sports victories. The rock is considered such a central part of the school's culture that a road relocation project was modified in 1996 to preserve the rock.

Christopher Huffaker: 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.