Weston parents and students demand action after third antisemitic vandalism; board to review action plan in April

Dozens of parents, students and community members told the Weston Board of Education on Monday, March 17, that repeated antisemitic vandalism in district schools requires faster, clearer and tougher action.

At the meeting, community speakers said this year’s third appearance of a swastika — following incidents at the high school last fall and the middle school in January — has left Jewish students and families afraid and calling for accountability, improved investigations and clearer communication from district leaders.

The black-clad audience asked the board for multiple remedies: a districtwide action plan with timelines and measurable goals, stronger and consistently applied disciplinary consequences, an anonymous tip line for reporting, clearer transparency about investigations and consideration of outside investigators. Several speakers urged the board to involve the Anti-Defamation League’s resources beyond the No Place for Hate curriculum to include targeted education about antisemitism and history.

Maria Robotham, who identified herself as representing the four parent-teacher organizations in Weston, said the PTOs “stand united” and requested a comprehensive plan with “concrete steps, clear and actionable timelines, and…