Reading High Schoolers Target Of Racist Speech Over Zoom

READING, MA — Students of color at Reading Memorial High School were the target of racist speech during virtual classes, Superintendent John Doherty said. The district is investigating after a person entered Zoom classroom sessions and directed a racial epithet toward the teacher and students.

"At this time, we do not know who the individual is or how they gained access to the Zoom classroom sessions," Doherty wrote in his district update Sunday. "As a precautionary measure, we have now mandated waiting rooms on all Zoom accounts so that teachers invite only their students into the classrooms."

Doherty said he was "appalled" at the behavior and apologized to families of color and teachers within the Reading Public Schools.

"This type of behavior is not acceptable in our classrooms or in our community," Doherty said.

Students are reminded not to share Zoom links with others, especially on social media.