Francis Howell District says suspect arrested, employee terminated after racist graffiti at Francis Howell High

Interim Superintendent Mark Delaney told the Francis Howell School District Board of Education on Oct. 16 that the person responsible for racist and violent graffiti at Francis Howell High School has been arrested by St. Charles County police and charged with a felony hate crime, and that the board voted unanimously to terminate that employee.

Delaney said the conduct “has no place in our schools,” apologized to students and staff who saw the graffiti before it could be removed, and described steps the district has taken to support the school community, including focus groups for impacted families, listening sessions, and mental-health resources.

Those supports, Delaney said, include licensed school counselors in every building and the district’s Inspire team, which provides additional mental-health assistance and staff training. He also reminded the public that harassment and bullying concerns can…