RACIST EMAIL INVESTIGATIVE FOLLOW-UP, APRIL 8, 2019: In an email to the community, Principal Jamie Chisum said the following: “Despite the efforts of all three assistant principals, the school resource officer, other members of the WPD, and our tech department, we have no solid evidence to connect any individual to the email sent to one of our teachers early last month. There was not sufficient evidence found to get a subpoena. There have been interviews with students, guidance counselors (in case they heard something), and I’ve personally spoken to all the teacher’s classes. We’ve done psychologist profiles, and of course met with the teacher for insights. My hope has been that eventually a student would step forward and tell us who did it – perhaps this weeks events will help someone come to this conclusion. We are keeping our eyes and ears open.”

Wellelsey Public School officials on Friday, March 1 informed the community that an an anonymous racist email was sent to a WHS African American teacher. The following update is from an email sent today to the Wellesley community from Superintendent Dr. David Lussier:

Late last week, I learned the disappointing news from Dr. Chisum that an African American teacher at Wellesley High School had received an anonymous email containing racist and inappropriate language. The high school quickly launched an investigation and informed the school community of what had transpired.

I share the frustration and anger of students, staff, and parents when I consider the impact that such a violation of our core values has on our perceptions of safety and inclusiveness within our schools. While I do not believe this incident is representative of our community as a whole, when I consider other incidents that have occurred in recent years, I also believe we cannot treat this as an isolated occurrence.

In short, we have work to do as a WPS community and as a town to help ensure that our schools are places where everyone feels safe and supported to succeed. In particular, our work around diversity, equity, and inclusion will remain a high priority in WPS. The support of our many community allies will be essential to these efforts as we all work together to support an environment defined by our core values each and every day.

Best regards,

David F. Lussier, Ed.D.
Superintendent

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Wellesley High School repulsed by racist email sent to teacher