For Immediate Release

Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Rockland Schools Respond After Hateful Messages Found at High School

ROCKLAND — Superintendent Alan Cron and Rockland High School Principal John Harrison report that the Rockland Public Schools are responding aggressively after two separate incidents of hate speech were reported at Rockland Senior High School Thursday afternoon.

This afternoon, school administrators learned that a swastika had been discovered carved into a classroom table. In what is believed to be a separate incident, racial epithets targeting African Americans were found written elsewhere in the school.

Upon learning of the incidents, school administrators immediately launched an internal investigation and contacted the Rockland Police Department, which has launched its own investigation.

“We are working closely with the Rockland Police Department and the community to develop an effective and appropriate response to these incidents,” Superintendent Cron said. “The Rockland Public Schools is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment and we will not tolerate hate speech of any kind.”

In addition to working with the Rockland Police Department, Superintendent Cron reports that he has reached out to the Anti-Defamation League and the NAACP for guidance.

“We are committed to investigating these incidents and ensuring a safe learning environment for all students, staff, and community members in the Rockland Public Schools,” Principal Harrison said.

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