Use of Slurs Sparks Community Conversation in Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After a Herberg Middle School teacher was placed on leave for allegedly repeating homophobic and racial slurs used by a student, the district is gathering the community for a conversation about how to move forward.
The discussion will be held Monday, May 11, at 6 p.m. at Conte Community School in partnership with the public schools, Westside Legends and the Berkshire chapter of the NAACP.
On Thursday, interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips said the district recognizes the seriousness of concerns from students, families, and staff members in a statement to the school community.
"As interim Superintendent, I have a broad view across our school system and am hearing experiences and concerns from many corners of our community. From my 26 years in education, I know these challenges are not unique to our district. That said, this is our opportunity to do this work within our own schools and strengthen our public education system and culture," she wrote over Parent Square, which was posted on social media and the district website.
"I want to be clear that there is no place for derogatory or discriminatory language in our schools, whether in classrooms, hallways, on athletic fields, buses, or anywhere in our learning environments. We must address individual situations thoughtfully, fairly, and with care for everyone involved, while also committing to the long-term work of shaping school environments where every student experiences dignity, belonging, safety, and respect."
At this meeting, they will discuss how to best move forward together.
"Our students are watching how we respond," Phillips wrote.
"We have an opportunity to model what it looks like to address difficult issues with fairness, dignity, honesty, and care, and in doing so, strengthen our schools for the long term."
Last week, the Pittsfield Public Schools Human Resources Department confirmed that an 8th-grade teacher at the middle school was placed on leave. The teacher was reportedly describing a classroom incident when the slurs were repeated.
The complaint was publicly made by parent Brett Random, who is the executive director of Berkshire County Head Start.
On her personal Facebook page, she said her daughter reported that her math teacher, "used extremely offensive language including both a racial slur (N word) and a homophobic slur (F word) and then reportedly tried to push other students to repeat those words later in the day when students were questioning her on her behavior."
The Berkshire Eagle, which first reported on the incident, identified the teacher as Rebecca Nitsche, and the teacher told the paper over the phone, "All I can tell you is it's not how it appears." Nitsche told the paper she repeated the words a student used while reporting the incident to another teacher because officials needed to know it happened.
Phillips on Thursday explained that there are often limits to what can be shared publicly while an incident involving students or personnel is investigated, and while that can be difficult during moments of concern and uncertainty, the process is intended to ensure situations are handled "thoughtfully, fairly, and with respect for everyone involved."
She also acknowledged the "very real hurt, disappointment, and frustration" students and families may be feeling, and that their voices matter.
"No one individual is responsible for the full history that brought us here; institutions can develop patterns over time that leave people feeling unheard, disconnected, or harmed. What this moment has made clear is that we have work to do as an institution," Phillips wrote.
"Public schools are part of the broader community ecosystem, and these issues cannot be addressed by schools alone. Progress will require partnership among students, families, staff, and community members, as well as a sustained commitment to addressing root causes rather than only responding after harm occurs. Ultimately, what matters most is not whether we avoid difficult moments, but how we choose to move through them, listening to one another and working toward something better together."
The interim superintendent began working for the district last summer, and late last year, her employment was extended to 2027. As a new superintendent, Phillips said she is learning that in moments like this, conversations will extend into social media where information travels quickly, and concerns can intensify without full context.
This, she said, underscored the need for stronger relationships, intentional trust-building, and structured spaces where authentic dialogue can take place when faced with complex and difficult issues.
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