Early this morning, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice reacted to charges of racism, addressed by Dr. Carol Felder and others at last night’s Board of Education meeting. He said:
During the Board of Education meeting last night, parents in our school community bravely came forward to share their painful experience of racism targeted at their children who are students in the Westport schools. In their remarks, they also challenged all of us to do better. For them and for everyone in our community, we must meet this challenge.
Let me be clear: We do not tolerate racism and other forms of hate in our schools. When we learn that a student has been targeted based on their identity, we first take steps to ensure that the student is safe and supported. Following an investigation, we take swift, decisive action and those responsible are held accountable.
I have had the privilege of meeting in the past couple of months with the parents who spoke publicly last night, and I want to respond to their question, “Can you imagine?”
In short, my answer is “no,” I cannot imagine what it would be like to suffer through their experience. I do, however, know this: No student, no person, should ever have to face discrimination or harassment based on their race. We will listen, we will learn, and while there is no cure for the virus of hate, we will continue to ensure that our schools do all we can to fight against it.
I encourage anyone within our school community who experiences or witnesses acts of hate or discrimination to report them. We will continue to engage with students, staff and families to listen, learn and take further actions that contribute to healing and reconciliation.
It is essential that we work together with the entire Westport community so that everyone in our schools and broader community is treated with dignity and respect.
Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice.
Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice