Dear Families and Caregivers,
It is with deep concern that I address an incident that occurred on our campus recently. On February 11, 2025, during the Board of Education meeting, a person appeared in a gorilla costume. This act was deeply troubling, as primate comparisons have historically been used to dehumanize people of African descent, often attempting to strip away their essential qualities such as intelligence and emotional depth. This behavior is not only offensive but also discriminatory and racist. We unequivocally condemn all forms of hatred in our District.
As we move forward, I expect that when on our school campuses all parents, guardians, caregivers, and community members will treat everyone with respect, dignity, and civility as outlined in our District Code of Conduct and Support. Our schools should be a safe, welcoming environment for all, and we will not tolerate actions that undermine this principle.
I also want to address and clarify several inaccuracies that have been circulating online and on social media regarding the book The Rainbow Parade:
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The book The Rainbow Parade was added to the Cobbles Library collection on March 12, 2024.
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A kindergarten student did not check out The Rainbow Parade.
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A fifth-grade student checked out The Rainbow Parade on December 12, 2024, but the book has not yet been returned.
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Cobbles Elementary School only has one copy of The Rainbow Parade. As it was not returned by its due date (December 19, 2024), it has not been available for circulation since then.
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On January 14, 2025 concerns were raised about The Rainbow Parade during a regular Board of Education meeting.
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On January 21, 2025, and again on January 31, 2025, I reached out to the family who questioned The Rainbow Parade, explaining the process for library material selection and objections. Unfortunately, I did not receive a response to either message.
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On February 13, 2025, three formal objections to The Rainbow Parade were submitted to the District Office. As a result, we will be convening a committee to review these objections.
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For those interested, I have attached Policy #8330, which outlines the process for submitting objections to instructional materials, as well as the Objection Form 8330F for any community member wishing to formally express concerns.
Following Tuesday's meeting, I received messages from students and families expressing concern for their children’s safety in light of the racist incident involving the gorilla costume. I understand and share these concerns. To ensure the safety and well-being of all students, faculty, and staff, I have been in direct communication with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. While we have not received any threats and have no immediate concerns for safety, they will be increasing their presence around our schools, providing additional support throughout the day. I am grateful for this partnership, which will help ensure that our campuses remain safe and secure.
I am also deeply moved by the outpouring of support I have received from members of our community, including emails from students expressing their concern for me. As Superintendent, my primary responsibility is the safety and well-being of our students, and it saddens me that negative attention has overshadowed this. Our students deserve to experience our schools in a safe and nurturing environment. I am committed to ensuring that our school spaces remain safe for every student, and I will continue to work diligently to protect our community from any harm. I look forward to our community coming together to heal and move forward peacefully.
Thank you for your continued support as we address these challenges together.
Tasha Potter, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
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