Stoughton Superintendent Talks Hate Incidents in Schools With NPR

STOUGHTON, MA — There's no more likely place where a hate incident can happen than a school, according to new data.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the most hate incidents following the 2016 election took place in schools. With the influx in hateful graffiti and actions, educators are struggling with how to deal with the increase.

As part of their look at the issue NPR recently interviewed Stoughton Superintendent of Schools Marguerite Rizzi, who knows a thing or two about hate graffiti.

In November and December, three incidents involving swastikas were reported at Stoughton High Schools. A teacher who rescinded their letter of recommendation for a student who was suspended for one of the incidents was herself suspended for 20 days.

While Rizzi would not speak about case, she spoke about balancing discipline and education.

"You want somebody who has done something, let's say, really stupid at the age of 16 or 17 — when they're 18, to say 'Oh my gosh, I would never do that now!'" Rizzi told NPR. "They're going to be among us, and if they haven't learned something, then they're just angrier people when they come out than when they went in."

Following the incidents, the Anti-Defamation League was contacted to bring training to Stoughton. They tell NPR that the number of schools requesting for their "A World Of Difference" program has jumped five-fold.

Click here to read the full story at NPR.org.

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