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School committee chairs condemn scarecrow targeting Superintendent Hunter, urge consistent response to hateful incidents
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Summary
The Concord-Carlisle school committee read a joint statement condemning a scarecrow found in Concord Center that contained demeaning language toward Superintendent Hunter, said the police have been notified, and urged consistent condemnation and educational responses to all hateful incidents affecting students and staff.
The Concord-Carlisle School Committee issued a joint statement condemning a scarecrow found in Concord Center that carried demeaning language directed at Superintendent Hunter, saying the police have been notified and pledging to protect staff.
The chairs’ statement, read aloud at the committee meeting, said in part: “There is no room for hate, harassment, or intimidation in our community,” and pledged that the district would “take any steps necessary to protect our staff and to assure those responsibly are held accountable.” The statement added that public debate about policy and budgets is welcome but must remain civil.
Committee members responded unanimously in support of the chairs’ message. Member Ayesha said the district should apply the same urgency to incidents affecting METCO students, Jewish students and students of color, urging the committee to “use the same vehemence” to condemn all hateful acts and to educate the community. Tracy reported the committee received roughly 16 emails supporting Dr. Hunter this week and that attorneys will review messages for student-privacy redactions when those messages are public-record requests.
Tracy told the committee she had spoken with two authors of one offensive email and that a meeting with administration is scheduled; several members suggested school-committee representatives join those conversations. The committee discussed the legal and privacy implications of public records requests for offensive correspondence and said redactions would be used where appropriate.
The committee said it welcomed criticism of policy and leadership but emphasized that targeted abuse of individuals is unacceptable. No formal disciplinary action against district staff was announced at the meeting; the police investigation into the scarecrow incident was described as ongoing.
The committee said it will continue to monitor related correspondence and schedule follow-up conversations with administration and community representatives as needed.
