Swastika Found At Reading Middle School: Superintendent

READING, MA — Authorities are investigating after a swastika was found at Coolidge Middle School. A custodian found the swastika in one of the boys' bathrooms Friday, April 30, Superintendent John Doherty said Monday.

"On behalf of the Reading Public Schools, I want to apologize to the Jewish Community for this senseless and insensitive act of graffiti," Doherty said in a statement. "The swastika symbolizes hate and anti-Semitism and there is no place for these types of hateful actions or behaviors in our schools or in the greater Reading Community."

Doherty said it was the second hate incident in the Reading Public Schools in recent weeks. The incident is under both school and police investigation.

"Throughout the last few years, our school district has prioritized an education focused on equity and social justice through focused professional development, open circle activities at the elementary, advisory and curriculum lessons at our middle schools, and current event discussions on these topics in high school," Doherty said. "We have done tremendous work in this area, but as we know, this work is ongoing and will never be finished."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Reading Police Department at 781-944-1212 or Coolidge Middle School at 781-942-9156.