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The Amador Valley High School community has been recovering after an “extensive” amount of hate speech, including racial epithets, was scrawled in multiple bathroom stalls at the Pleasanton campus in recent weeks.
The offensive graffiti was removed soon after being discovered and a full investigation undertaken to identify those responsible, while school and district officials also attempted to reinforce that such behavior is unacceptable and that no student should experience discrimination on campus, according to communications obtained by the Pleasanton Weekly.
“Pleasanton Unified School District condemns all forms of hate-motivated behavior,” district officials told the Weekly on Friday.
“Acts of hate – including graffiti, slurs, symbols, or any expression rooted in bias – have no place in our schools or community,” they added. “PUSD is firmly committed to maintaining safe, inclusive learning environments where every student is treated with dignity and respect.”
The situation unfolded the week of Halloween, principal Malcolm Norrington stated in an email to the school community at the time. He opened his narrative with the header, “This Does Not Define Us. We Will Grow Through This.”
Norrington said staff discovered “extensive vandalism” in a stall in a boys’ restroom on Oct. 30 and again in a second stall in the same bathroom on Oct. 31.
“The graffiti was the n-word, hate symbols, and other hate-motivated statements,” Norrington wrote. “This conduct is antithetical to our values and does not reflect the Amador Valley community. I apologize to anyone who was affected by such hate-motivated behavior. We regret the harm this causes and extend our support to anyone affected.”
“Upon discovery, the affected stalls were immediately closed (the restroom remained open), thoroughly cleaned, and restored for safe use,” the principal added.
Norrington issued his email to the Amador community on the morning of Nov. 2 – a Sunday. Notice of the graffiti and response was not sent to the greater PUSD community nor the public, but district administration provided details Friday morning after the Weekly inquired.
The principal stated that support and resources are available on campus for those affected by hate-motivated incidents such as the graffiti, and he reiterated the school’s expectations for a “safe, supportive and inclusive” learning environment.
“In short, we continue to embrace the opportunity to serve and support all our Don family members, thereby enhancing our school climate by building relationships, fostering trust, and creating an environment where everyone knows and feels they belong,” Norrington said in closing. “Fostering a climate where every member of the Don community is known, valued, and supported — All Our Kids Are All Our Kids.”
PUSD officials told the Weekly that a swift response and thorough investigation occurred in alignment with the district’s Administrative Regulation No. 5145.9.
“Hate has no home in PUSD,” officials said. “Please note that because this matter involves student discipline, we cannot disclose any information related to individual students or disciplinary actions.”
