Newton city councilors offer support to principals who have received racist messages

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Newton city councilors are offering their support to two principals who have been the subject of “racist and confrontational” messages for their work in helping students discuss last month’s verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse case.

Bigelow Middle School principal Chassity Coston and Newton North principal Henry Turner, both black, received the messages via voicemail, email and social media, according to Superintendent David Fleishman.

Rittenhouse was acquitted in November of the shooting murders of two men and a third injured during racial justice protests in August 2020 in Wisconsin.

Coston and Turner each gave school students a chance to talk about the news and learn more about the case. Days after Rittenhouse’s verdict, three men were convicted of murdering Ahmaud Arbery – a black man who was running in Georgia – in February 2020.

In the city council letter, which was signed by all 24 members, local leaders said they were alarmed and concerned about the “inflammatory response” received by Coston and Turner after Rittenhouse’s verdict.

“As we understand your actions, your goal was to provide spaces for students to process the verdict at your respective schools, Newton North High School and Bigelow Middle School,” the advisers said in their letter.

The counselors said they supported the principals’ position to speak out against racism and their work of “learning, growing and reflecting on our progress in this area.” They also supported the efforts of school staff in implementing the district’s vision statement, which calls for the dismantling of racism in schools and communities.

“We are appalled that you both have been attacked for doing this important work,” the advisers wrote. “We hope that a small cohort of individuals or organizations from Newton and beyond will not affect the work you and your colleagues do as you educate our children in the future.”

Turner, in an earlier Globe interview, praised North’s students and staff for their response to Rittenhouse’s verdict.

“I’m really proud of the way our students have spoken about it and proud of the way our staff have responded to it,” said Turner.

Fleishman and Mayor Ruthanne Fuller also supported the principals.

“As mayor, I give my full support to Henry Turner and Chassity Coston and know I speak for the community of Newton,” Fuller said in an earlier statement.

Fleishman said: “It is truly heartbreaking, terribly upsetting and sad that two of our black directors have been targeted.”

Travis Andersen of Globe staff contributed to this report.

John Hilliard can be reached at [email protected].

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