Penfield suspends BOE meetings amid threats, inappropriate messages

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Penfield suspends BOE meetings amid threats, inappropriate messages

The Penfield Central School District has canceled its Board of Education meetings scheduled for March 4 and March 18 due to threatening and inappropriate messages directed at board members, according to district officials.

In a

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on Friday night, the district reported receiving approximately 200 messages—via email, phone calls, traditional mail, and the district’s “Contact Us” form—since a contentious February board meeting was abruptly halted due to “disruptive and offensive conduct.”

“The language used in these messages has been discriminatory, racist, homophobic, and outright inappropriate,” the letter states. “This kind of behavior is unacceptable in any community, especially one that strives to be safe, inclusive, and welcoming for all.”

Legal review of threatening messages

According to the district, legal counsel reviewed 84 messages submitted through the school’s online contact form, as well as three voicemails. Their findings included:

27 of the 84 messages contained threatening language.

Seven emails specifically targeted the Board of Education.

Superintendent Tasha Potter received direct threats, some appearing racially motivated.

Three voicemails left at the district office were deemed particularly disturbing.

Board meetings to resume in April with enhanced security

In response, the district announced that board meetings will reconvene on April 8, 2025, with “enhanced safety protocols” in place. Additionally, student participation in meetings will be suspended for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year due to security concerns.

Planned safety measures include:

Hiring a safety and security coordinator.

Increasing school security services.

Continued collaboration with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, which will maintain a presence on school campuses.

Reviewing policies related to board governance and school safety.

“While these measures are necessary, they are not taken lightly,” the district stated. “The safety and well-being of our community are our top priorities, and we must work together to ensure that the district remains a place of respect, safety, and inclusivity.”

Despite the meeting cancellations, the district emphasized its commitment to community engagement and encouraged residents to share concerns via email at *****@*****.tld.

What happened at the February school board meeting?

The February board meeting became heated as community members debated the inclusion of The Rainbow Parade, a children’s book featuring a young girl attending a Pride parade with her two moms.

Parents expressed differing views, with some arguing the book was inappropriate for children and others supporting its representation of diverse families. Tensions escalated further when a man in a gorilla suit wearing a MAGA hat entered the meeting.

Superintendent Potter and Board President Emily Roberts stated that the behavior of some attendees left a student representative visibly shaken.

“They claim to protect students, but I question that claim because they left one student, whom we were able to observe, visibly shaken,” Roberts said at the time.

The meeting was shut down. In response, the district paused public comments for the March and April meetings to “restore a positive environment where respectful conversations can take place.”

This story includes reporting from Democrat and Chronicle reporter Kerria Weaver.

— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who edited our Weld Street Project and also did reporting for it. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at *****@*****.tld.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle:

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