Penfield’s central school neighborhood overturned its education council, scheduled for March 4 and 18, due to threatening and inappropriate messages aimed at board members, according to district officers.
In a letter to district families on Friday night, the area announced that it had received approximately 200 messages – VIA email, telephone calls, traditional mail and the “Contact USA” form – since the disputed boarding on the board was sharply stopped due to “destructive and offensive behavior”.
“The language used in these messages is discriminatory, racist, homophobic and honest inappropriate,” the letter said. “This type of behavior is unacceptable in any community, especially the one who strives to be safe, inclusive and welcoming to all.”
Legal review of threatening messages
According to the area, the legal adviser has reviewed 84 messages sent through the school’s online contact form, as well as three voice messages. Their discoveries include:
-
27 of 84 messages contained a threatening language.
-
Seven emails specifically aimed at the Education Council.
-
The head of Tasha Potter received direct threats, some of which appear racially motivated.
-
Three voice messages left in the county office are considered particularly disturbing.
Board meetings to resume in April with improved security
In response, the district announced that the meetings on board would be gathered on April 8, 2025 with “improved safety protocols”. In addition, the participation of students in meetings will be stopped by the end of the school year 2024-2025 due to security concerns.
The planned safety measures include:
-
Hiring a safety and security coordinator.
-
Increasing school security services.
-
Continued cooperation with the sheriff of Monroe County, which will maintain a presence in school campuses.
-
Review of policies related to boarding and safety of schools.
“Although these measures are needed, they are not taken lightly,” the area said. “The safety and well -being of our community are our main priorities and we must work together to ensure that the area remains a place of respect, safety and inclusion.”
Despite the cancellation of the meeting, the area emphasized its commitment to engage in the community and encouraged residents to share concerns by email at boepublic@penfieldschools.onmicrosoft.com.
What happened at the school council meeting in February?
The Board meeting in February was heated when community members discussed the inclusion of The rainbow paradeA children’s book with the participation of a young girl who visits a pride with her two mothers.
The parents expressed different views, with some claiming that the book is inappropriate for children and others supporting its presentation to various families. The tension further escalates when a man in a gorilla suit wearing a hat from Magic entered the match.
Potter and President Emily Roberts said that the behavior of some present left a student representative visibly shaken.
“They claim to protect the students, but I am questionable this statement because they left a student we were able to watch, visibly shaken,” Roberts said at the time.
The meeting was closed. In response, the area stopped public comments about the March and April meetings to “restore the positive environment in which there may be respectful conversations.”
This story includes reporting from the Democrats and the Chronicle Waver Chronicle Reporter.
– Madison Scott is a journalist with Democrat and Chronicle, who edits our Weld Street project and also reports it. It has an interest in how the system helps or does not help families with missing loved ones. It can be reached by mdscott@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared in Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Penfield stops BOE meetings against the background of threats, inappropriate messages