PHS Students: Be Kinder About Our School Amid Scandal
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Pittsfield High School students are keeping their heads up despite the scandal that's embroiled the school.
Their ask? Think twice before making negative comments as an outsider.
"Right now, our school is going through, obviously, a lot but from what I have personally seen, I don't think our community has ever been stronger and I just don't think people are getting that," 10th-grader Benjamin Glockner said, reporting that it has been "negative after negative" when hearing from community members.
There was the usual feedback from residents at Wednesday's School Committee meeting but this time, it was matched by testimony from the young people who attend the school.
Student Jessmirac Perry said PHS has experienced its share of negativity "And unfortunately, a significant part of that has come in the form of racial comments and passive-aggressive behavior."
On Dec. 11, PHS Dean of Students Lavante Wiggins was arrested and charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for allegedly conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine. He was the first of three staff members to be put on administrative leave, the other two being investigated by the state Department of Children and Families. Another former staff member at PHS is also under DCF investigation and a civil complaint has been filed against a recently retired teacher and the school related to sexual harassment.
"Recently, I noticed how the arrest of Mr. Wiggins has been used as an example to make racial comments that target the Black community. For example, I overheard someone saying, 'Of course, Mr. Wiggins was dealing drugs. He's a Black man with a Maserati,'" Perry said.
"Yes, what Mr. Wiggins did was wrong but the comments like this go far beyond him as an individual. They hurt an entire community. They perpetuate harmful stereotypes and create an environment where students of color feel judged and unwelcome simply because of their race. No student should ever feel like they can't achieve their goals or that their potential is limited because of the color of their skin."
She added that PHS is an " incredibly diverse and welcoming school" and comments like this make it harder for both students and staff to feel safe and valued Further, if the negativity continues, she said it could discourage potential staff members of color from joining PHS and make students question their place.
"I want to be clear though, PHS is an amazing school filled with amazing people. I love my school and I know many others do too," Perry concluded.
"We cannot let the actions or words of a few overshadow the incredible work being done here. I wish for these issues to be recognized. These issues deserve to be talked about and not for the sake of addressing them but to ensure that PHS continues to be a place where everyone feels safe, respected, and able to thrive. I hope it's not my color you see but my voice you hear."
During a special City Council meeting last month, an open microphone speaker implied that the administrator facing federal charges was hired not for his qualifications but because of his race, saying, "I guess his only qualification is he looks like Earl Persip."
A five-minute recess was called after the speaker yelled an obscenity from the podium.
PHS student representatives collected quotes from students on the topic and highlighted the positive things happening under the dome.
One student said, "My main concern is the people that are not involved within the building commenting on social media and all that and not truly thinking about how their words have affected the students more than anyone else."
Mayor Peter Marchetti commended the students for speaking and told them to keep it up.
He described his positive experience visiting the high school just before winter break, saying "There were some classrooms that asked a lot of questions and some that didn't. There were some that wanted to make sure the mayor walked out with a cup of hot chocolate with a peppermint stick in it and a cider doughnut."
Marchetti cited some community members' allegations that the administration knew about the alleged misconduct. This has been strongly denied by officials.
"I really felt that day that the black cloud that is circling — and no one's going to deny that black cloud is circling — is damaging a lot of students who potentially are arm's length away from anything that has ever happened, right?" he said.
"‘Everybody knows' so that means the entire student population of PHS knows what's going on? Very doubtful, in my mind, and for that to be the focus for the last month and will continue to be, what are our seniors of Pittsfield High walking out of Pittsfield High as? 'We're the graduates of the year of the Pittsfield High School scandal?'"
Chair William Cameron and member William Garrity met with the high school's Student Government earlier in the week.
Garrity, who graduated from Taconic High in 2022, strongly believes the most important voices at this table are the student representatives, especially in times like these.
"Students, your voice is the most important and most influential voice there is and I strongly thank the two students who showed up tonight for taking the time to come speak to the School Committee," he said.
"We need to hear from you and encourage you all to continue to be involved in your schools and your community. I will continue to advocate for more ways to increase student voice of the School Committee and I hope to have those discussions in the coming weeks and months."
The committee tabled a retainer agreement with Mirick and O'Connell to audit the Pittsfield Public Schools' employment practices and procedures and investigate complaints of misconduct by school employees. It was not disclosed why the agreement was tabled.
During open microphone, Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren asked that it be tabled because he believes Pittsfield has the opportunity to take advantage of a 60-year-old organization, Enough Abuse, that has a statewide and nationwide reputation for dealing with these issues.
Enough Abuse is a citizen education and community mobilization initiative working to prevent child sexual abuse in our homes, schools, youth organizations, and communities.
Warren reported having a conversation with the executive director who is willing to make a presentation to the city.
"I know a lot of people point at Pittsfield and we always get blamed for everything. I understand we're not unique. We're not unique in the county, we're not unique in the state or in the country," he said.
"We can be a model. We could be a model for this county and I think we should. I believe Pittsfield, when we have the opportunity, should take advantage of the best that is available."
