10/9/2025

Dear School Community Member:

It came to my attention today that graffiti was found on a wall in a bathroom in the Junior-Senior High School.  The graffiti was made up of racial epithets and drawings.  We take this type of insensitive and offensive behavior very seriously.  This type of graffiti is inappropriate, perpetuates harmful stereotypes, and contributes to discrimination against different groups. To say that this behavior is unacceptable anywhere is an understatement.

A thorough investigation took place after the discovery of this graffiti and I can tell you that the student who did this was caught and will be facing Code of Conduct consequences for their actions. We have informed our School Resource Officer about this incident so that the Fallsburg Police Department is aware of it.

Racial epithets, slurs, and drawings, not only violate the school District’s code of conduct, it also defaces school property, undermines anti-racist attitudes and works against the inclusive school culture we have been working to achieve.  Our school buildings should be made up of safe spaces for all students that are free of such inappropriate messaging.

Students who make the decision to violate the code of conduct in this way may face dire consequences at the school level and perhaps beyond.

I am very grateful that our school culture has evolved to a, “if you see something say something” school district! I encourage our students and families to continue informing us when they observe, read or hear about inappropriate behaviors.

Thank you for your continued attention and support.

Dr. Katz