'Start hiring' more 'Black teachers' or 'white ones will die': School graffiti sparks outrage in PA

DREXEL HILL, Pa. (CITC) — A threatening message found on a Pennsylvania girls' high school bathroom wall is bringing a school district's accountability into question.

The Upper Darby School District (UDSD), which serves nearly 12,000 students in Delaware County, is being scrutinized by parents for its handling of an incident some call an example of racism. Aphotoshared on social media allegedly depicts the graffiti that was discovered last week.

Y'all better start hiring some more Black teachers or 5 white ones will die," the message reads.

This is disgusting," parent Jessica Daphne wrote on Facebook. "With a community as diverse as Upper Darby, racism shouldn't even exist."

The Upper Darby Police Department (UDPD) was reportedly made aware of the message by a concerned parent on Feb. 28. Upon speaking with UDSD, the department confirmed both the message's legitimacy and that a student within the district's life skills program was responsible.

However, parents claim the community was not informed until days later.

I know a post on social media isn't going to help the situation....but we received an email earlier with no mention of this fancy art work," Daphne said.

Upper Darby High School PrincipalMatthew Alloway allegedly considered the incident to be a "joke," but parents are demanding UDSD take the "direct threat" seriously.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the kids in our school district are out of control, all the way down to the elementary schools," one parent wrote on Facebook. "Something has to happen. This is unexceptional on so many levels. I feel sorry for their futures with this mentality."

The student responsible for the message is reportedly unable to be charged due to both her mental capacity and the graffiti being cleaned up before police were contacted.

"Over the past few months, the increase in physical altercations on the way to school or on the way home from school while walking or on our buses, conduct in our schools, and even conduct in the evening and over the weekend has to improve. I know that we can all do better," UDSD Superintendent Daniel McGarry said in a community message shared with Crisis in the Classroom (CITC). "I have recently held meetings with the Upper Darby Police Department's Chief of Police, Mr. Timothy Bernhardt. We work together under a state-required Memo of Understanding (MOU) where local public school districts work with local law enforcement on promoting, sustaining, and responding to emergencies and student conduct in the community. In response to the increased community and school behaviors, we wanted to remind all of you of the following support(s) and resources we have available to students and families in need, and to also let everyone know that we will not tolerate threats of violence or acts of violence in our schools or community. We have to do better."

CITC has reached out to UDPD for additional information but has not received a response.

Concerned about something in your child's school district? Call or text the national Crisis in the Classroom tip line at 202-417-7273.