Latest news with #LynnfieldHighSchool
Boston Globe
26-06-2025
- Boston Globe
Two Lynnfield town workers resign after racist remarks caught on hot mic before high school graduation
Neither the workers who quit nor the reinstated employee were named. That third worker's been told 'to report similar future incidents or comments to their supervisor as soon as possible,' officials said. The town said its review of the matter is complete. 'As stated at the outset, the Town of Lynnfield leaders stand together in outrage over what occurred and continue to state emphatically that racist language and behavior has no place in our town, will not be tolerated, and will be dealt with immediately,' the statement said. Officials had said previously that they were investigating after town workers setting up for the Lynnfield High School graduation on June 6 allegedly made racist remarks that were picked up by a microphone and livestreamed to the Internet, where they could be heard by any concerned listener with wifi. Advertisement 'During a live streaming of the Lynnfield High School graduation, town employees were overheard using inappropriate and racist words,' said town administrator Robert J. Dolan and assistant town administrator Robert E. Curtin Advertisement The school system's superintendent, police chief, and select board were informed of the reported comments, 'We, as town leaders, stand together in outrage over what has been reported this evening and wish to state emphatically that racist language and behavior has no place in our town and will be dealt with immediately,' Dolan and Curtin said. School Committee member 'By now, hundreds of Lynnfield Public Schools students have heard these words. And just as importantly, they are now watching what we do next,' Superintendent of Schools Tom Geary and School Committee Chair Kristen Elworthy said in a statement earlier this month they were outraged that students and parents were 'exposed to such harmful language.' 'We recognize that for many in our community this incident is deeply painful. We hear you, and we stand with you,' they said. An excerpt of the live stream shows at least three town workers setting up folding chairs on a football field and apparently engaging in a back-and-forth exchange of racist comments. Dolan and Curtin said it was unfortunate that the exchange overshadowed the celebration. 'It is especially regrettable that this incident took place on what is and should be a night to celebrate our incredible seniors. Such incidents, however, must be confronted directly and openly and a full investigation and appropriate action will be taken,' they Advertisement Material from prior Globe stories was used in this report. Travis Andersen can be reached at
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Mass. town employee quits after racist comments heard during graduation livestream video
An employee of the town of Lynnfield has resigned after 'inappropriate and racist words' were heard during a high school graduation livestream Friday, with an investigation into the incident now underway. On Monday, the town announced that one of the employees heard during the livestream had resigned and was no longer working for the town, according to a statement. 'The town has begun an investigation into the recorded conversation that occurred on Friday before the Lynnfield High School graduation,' the statement read. '...The investigation into this matter is ongoing and there is no further information or comment at this time.' The statement did not release the name of the person no longer working with the city. The remarks were made while people were waiting for the graduation ceremony to start. The livestream has since been removed. The people heard in the video have been placed on administrative leave during the investigation, town officials said. At least two racist words can be heard clearly, Itemlive reported. 'We, as town leaders, stand together in outrage over what has been reported this evening and wish to state emphatically that racist language and behavior has no place in our town and will be dealt with immediately,' a town statement shared on Facebook read. Lynnfield School Committee member Jamie Hayman previously said students 'are now watching what we do next.' If we treat this only as a personnel issue, we miss a critical opportunity to lead, to grow, and to teach,' he said. Though one African-American student's father came forward during a June 3 school committee hearing to tell the school committee that his son had dealt with 'some incidents.' After a school principal told the student's father, Carl Allien, about 'some of the harsh things that my son has been enduring,' Allien told MassLive that he wanted to meet with the superintendent about what has happened. He did not provide details about these incidents. '... it's been challenging for a young African-American kid in the schools,' Allien said. 'I'm struggling right now.' Two school board members encouraged Allien to leave his contact information with the district secretary for further conversation. Another school board committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday. Public comment is available. Families of 3 workers killed on I-91 in March attend suspect's arraignment Mayor Wu seeks transparency on ICE arrests, 'secret police tactics' Runners race for a cause at Flutie 5K in Bernardston Sex offender arrested after woman in Mass. Target fitting room is filmed while changing U.S. House committee demands Harvard send them hiring policies for review Read the original article on MassLive.
CBS News
09-06-2025
- CBS News
Lynnfield students "shocked" and "embarrassed" by workers' alleged racist words at graduation
People in Lynnfield are weighing in on some very disturbing and racist remarks that were caught on video allegedly by some town workers who have been placed on administrative leave. It happened on Friday as employees were setting up for the Lynnfield High School graduation. A camera set up for a live stream of the ceremony caught audio of the comments as video showed workers unfolding chairs on the school's football field. Michael Murphy is the school class president and spoke at the graduation. "It honestly shocked me, I just can't people would say stuff like that," he said. Murphy said none of the students were aware of the incident until after the graduation ceremony. "I can't believe that they would say such things like that. It obviously does not resemble us as a town and definitely not a class," Murphy said. Graduate Lily White says she was also shocked when she saw the video and feels the comments don't represent school or the town of Lynnfield. "It was kind of crazy and quite disrespectful. Definitely the right thing to suspend them from their job. I just think it was very disrespectful, and kind of embarrassed about the town," White said. Workers placed on administrative leave The video was eventually taken down, but not before other people saw it on social media. Town officials say the workers have been identified and have been placed on administrative leave, though they are not saying how many are involved. Two town workers seen on video setting up graduation at Lynnfield High School. CBS Boston Lynnfield Town Administrator Robert Dolan and Assistant Town Administrator Robert Curtin released a statement saying, "We, as town leaders, stand together in outrage over what has been reported this evening and wish to state emphatically that racist language and behavior has no place in our town and will be dealt with immediately." Georgeann Lieb says she's saddened over the situation and feels the students deserve better. "For Lynnfield and any area in the state we got to realize what we are saying and what is spoken outwardly because you do not know who is listening," Lieb said. Murphy hopes people will walk away with a more important message. "Just don't be hateful and treat everyone equally," Murphy said. The names of the individuals who have been place on administrative leave have yet been released. The incident remains under investigation by the town and police and select board.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
‘I'm not feeling seen': Racist graduation remarks highlight earlier concerns brought to officials
Parents and students in Lynnfield have raised concerns about how the town's schools address race — from the limited portrayal of Black history to reports of racism among students. Now, officials are being forced to confront those concerns after 'inappropriate' remarks were made during a high school graduation livestream. Lynnfield town employees could be heard using 'inappropriate and racist words' during a graduation livestream Friday. The video has since been remove but was seen and heard by people waiting to watch the Lynnfield High School graduation on Friday. The people in the video have been placed on administrative leave during the investigation, town officials said. 'It is especially regrettable that this incident took place on what is and should be a night to celebrate our incredible seniors. Such incidents, however, must be confronted directly and openly and a full investigation and appropriate action will be taken,' a statement by the town read on Facebook. The video was of people setting up chairs on the football field prior to the ceremony. At least two racist words can be heard clearly, Itemlive reported. 'We, as town leaders, stand together in outrage over what has been reported this evening and wish to state emphatically that racist language and behavior has no place in our town and will be dealt with immediately,' the town's statement continued. Select Board member Alexis Leahy spoke out against the comments and thanked the town administration for acting quickly. 'Discrimination not only undermines the values of equity and justice that a community is built upon, but it also divides us at a time when unity and understanding are more important than ever,' she wrote. Jamie Hayman of the school committee also spoke out stating that hundreds of students have now heard these words. 'And just as importantly, they are now watching what we do next. If we treat this only as a personnel issue, we miss a critical opportunity, to lead, to grow, and to teach,' he said. But it isn't the first time this issue has been brought up to the school board committee this year. On June 3, the school committee hearing prior to graduation, a parent, Carl Allien, told the committee that his son was dealing with 'some incidents' as an African-American. The school's principal had called Allien about 'some of the harsh things that my son has been enduring.' Although he did not provide any specifics, he said it wasn't about any specific person and asked for a meeting with the superintendent about these issues. '... it's been challenging for a young African-American kid in the schools,' he said. 'I'm struggling right now.' Two school board members encouraged Allien to leave his contact information with the district secretary for further conversation. In February, Joseph Dixon and his mother, Wendy, went in front of the committee to urge them to have better education and celebration of Black history. 'I'm not feeling seen,' Wendy Dixon said her son told her. Joseph Dixon said during his years at Lynnfield public schools, he has not seen Black history talked about beyond slavery and Martin Luther King Jr. 'We should learn about the many things that black people have contributed to our society and not just the struggle and hurt that they've been through,' he told the committee. He also encouraged education on other cultures too. 'I agree with you that we can do better,' Superintendent Tom Geary said. 'Thank you for being willing to speak. It's something we will talk about administratively on how to move forward with that.' Another school board committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday. Public comment is available. Ex-con arraigned on home invasion and armed robbery charges Rally to be held in Boston in response to ICE raids in LA 'Devastated' music legend cancels more shows due to health issues Hearing for Newton judge accused of helping man evade ICE begins Monday How a Springfield agency's mission evolved since its founding after the Civil War Read the original article on MassLive.
CBS News
08-06-2025
- CBS News
Workers' "racist words" caught on high school graduation live stream, Massachusetts town says
An unknown number of employees were placed on administrative leave after they were allegedly captured on a live stream making racist remarks while setting up for a Massachusetts high school graduation. It happened Friday ahead of the Lynnfield High School graduation. A camera was set up to stream the ceremony for people at home to watch. The feed was rolling with audio and video while town workers could be seen setting up chairs. Lynnfield High School graduation According to a statement by the Lynnfield Town Administrator Robert Dolan and Assistant Town Administrator Robert Curtin, the workers can be heard "using inappropriate and racist words." The remarks were heard by people who were waiting to watch the graduation, the town said. In the statement, the town officials said the employees have been identified and placed on administrative leave, pending a full investigation. "We, as town leaders, stand together in outrage over what has been reported this evening and wish to state emphatically that racist language and behavior has no place in our town and will be dealt with immediately," the statement said. "It is especially regrettable that this incident took place on what is and should be a night to celebrate our incredible seniors. Such incidents, however, must be confronted directly and openly and a full investigation and appropriate action will be taken." Lynnfield School Committee member response The town did not specify how many employees have been placed on leave or identify them. School Committee member Jamie Hayman issued a statement following the incident. "We can't ignore the fact that this incident took place at a school event and students were watching. By now, hundreds of Lynnfield Public Schools students have heard these words. And just as importantly, they are now watching what we do next," Hayman said. "If we treat this only as a personnel issue, we miss a critical opportunity, to lead, to grow, and to teach. We must show our students that their community stands firmly against hate and discrimination." No further information is currently available.
