PENFIELD, N.Y. — The superintendent of the Penfield Central School District says she’s “saddened and disappointed” with a growing trend of hateful messages directed at her and members of her team.
Superintendent Tasha Potter released a statement on the district’s website, saying there’s been an uptick of “harmful, hateful, and dehumanizing rhetoric” toward school leaders, especially toward those who are Black. She says the messages have included derogatory AI-generated images, name-calling, and the spreading of false information. Potter also mentioned recent messages directed at Board President Dr. El-Amin-Turner.
“These actions have not only targeted professionals in their roles, but have extended into deeply personal and family spaces. This is unacceptable,” Potter said in her statement.
Potter said the messages come from a small number of people, and the behavior doesn’t represent the Penfield community. She said that, if this behavior happened between students, it would be considered cyberbullying, and adults should hold themselves to the same standard.
“There are many individuals, families, and staff members who demonstrate care, civility, partnership, and compassion each and every day. That is the Penfield we know and value,” she said.
Early last year, school board members told News10NBC that they received “hateful, threatening, and vulgar” messages over an LGBTQ-themed book at the elementary school library, called “The Rainbow Parade”. Some parents criticized the book for containing illustrations that were inappropriate for children, and a board meeting over the book ended in a heated clash.
Potter says she acknowledges the ‘right to express views’
The superintendent said she acknowledges that people have the right to “express their views and perspectives” and that “freedom is a fundamental part of our community and our democracy”. However, she is asking the community to be civilized while expressing their opinions and to refrain from racism. Her statement reads:
“Freedom of expression should not come at the detriment of others, nor should it be used to harm, demean, or dehumanize. With that right comes a shared responsibility to ensure that our words and actions contribute to a community grounded in respect, dignity, and care for one another. …Imagine what it feels like to come to work each day in an environment where misinformation, hostility, and personal attacks are constant. It does not feel safe. It does not feel supportive. And it directly impacts the ability of dedicated professionals to focus on what matters most, our students.”
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