Superintendent On Hate Graffiti: There's Work To Be Done

NEEDHAM, MA — The latest incidents of hateful graffiti at Needham High School is a reminder that the school district must do more to address similar incidents.

Superintendent Dan Gutekanst updated the school committee Monday on last Friday's walkout, which involved about 200-300 students leaving class to protest recent homophobic and racist graffiti found in the school. While protesting, students heard from a range of speakers who discussed the need for equality. At the end of the walkout, students walked towards the Memorial Field parking lot and around the baseball field while chanting. Students returned to class afterward and discussed the walkout, the recent graffiti, school climate, and ways to improve the high school.

Gutekanst said is it a goal of the school district to provide a safe environment where everyone is welcomed and no one is targeted.

"Clearly there is a lot of work to be done in the Needham Public Schools and we're not the only ones with a lot of work to be done. There's some culture changing, attitudes, feelings, and beliefs we need to attend to. I think we can do that and I think if any community can do that it's the Needham community," Gutekanst said.

School Committee Chairwoman Heidi Black said committee member shave been having discussions about the incident with neighbors and friends around town. She said the community appreciates the honest and transparent way the issue has been presented to the public.

The incidents are under investigation.

Image: File Photo