MEXICO, N.Y. (WSYR) — Mexico Central School District officials said they have identified the person who vandalized the high school sign by switching letters around to make a racial slur.
The slur may be gone, but the fact that it was there in the first place lingers for some in the community.
“To see that…reminds me that we are not where we ought to be, and it’s just terribly disappointing,” Roy Terry, Town of Richland resident, said.
Terry expressed concern that the message was displayed in an area that is visible to students and the general public.
“That’s not good, and I’m hoping that the school administration can address it in a way that will make it very clear where the community stands,” he said.
Terry said the Mexico community has a lot of work to do when it comes to combating racism.
“We have to come clean and that most of us, really, have a lot of racist tendencies…just a part of our character…a part of our personality,” Terry said. “But it’s something we have to fight against.”
Mexico Academy & Central School District’s superintendent, Dr. Donna Runner, said they will be following the district’s Code of Conduct when it comes to the punishment for the person who spelled out the slur. Locks have been placed on the sign to prevent future, similar incidents from happening.
We are deeply disheartened by the recent act of vandalism at our High School, which included the posting of a racial slur on our sign. This incident is not reflective of the values we uphold in our community. We stand strongly against any form of discrimination and are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all.
A vigilant community member promptly removed the offensive message and notified us, allowing swift action to be taken. Our High School Principal and School Resource Officer have successfully identified the individual responsible for this reprehensible act. We will be following our Code of Conduct to address this matter appropriately.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the community members who assisted in addressing this incident. Your alertness and proactive response are commendable and exemplify the strength and unity of our community.
Together, we stand against hate and discrimination, and we will continue to work towards ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
Dr. Runner
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