CRIME, POLICE + COURTS

Hate symbols and racial slurs found in Park City High School, educators investigating

Feb 11, 2022, 7:57 PM

park city school district pictured, two schools facing harassment investigation...

KSL NewsRadio FILE- The exterior of Park City High School, February 11, 2022.

PARK CITY, Utah — Educators at Park City High School are trying to find the person reportedly drawing hate symbols such as swastikas and racial slurs inside the classrooms.  School district officials say their investigation is being taken seriously, and they want anyone with information to come forward.

Hate symbols and racial slurs

Park City High School social studies teacher Josh Goldberg tells the Deseret News he found a swastika and the N-word on the bottom of a desk in his classroom.  He tells reporters he wasn’t sure if the symbols were directed at him, personally.  However, he is a Jewish teacher that runs a Jewish student club out of that classroom.

Goldberg said, “This is not just an attack on me personally, or all Jews, obviously, because the N-Word was included. It’s an attack on all of us.  It’s an attack on decency.”

Since the word spread about the anti-Semitic symbols, he tells the Deseret News he has received at least 50 emails from students, parents and other members of the community describing other bigoted things they’ve seen at the school. 

School and district officials say this won’t be tolerated

Principal Roger Arbabi sent a letter to parents, saying there have been multiple incidents of hate speech over the past few weeks.  He urges anyone who has seen hate speech to talk with administrators, or leaves tips on the SafeUT app.

His letter stated, “As a community, we have zero tolerance for language or imagery that expresses hate towards a person or group based on religion, race, disability, sex or sexual orientation.”

Park City School District officials say incidents like this go against the core values of the district. And they’re working to create schools where racism isn’t tolerated.  District Superintendent Dr. Jill Gildea issued a statement saying attacks like this are “hurtful to all.”

The statement reads, “We work to support students and staff who have been affected by incidents. And we want to assure every student and employee that we are committed to safety and well-being.  Any incident, such as racist messaging, is additional evidence of the pressing need in our schools, our community and out nation to find ways to talk constructively and respectfully about diversity, race and religion.”

Reaction from the local Jewish community

Cases like this are no surprise to Rabbi David Levinsky with Temple Har Shalom.  He says Utah isn’t the only place seeing this kind of growing problem.

“There has really been an increase in anti-Semitic activity, really, over the past five years. But we’re seeing another surge over the past few months, and it’s across the country,” he said to KSL Newsradio.

Whether the anti-Semitic graffiti and racial slurs were made by an actual white supremacist, or just someone thinking it’s funny to get a rise out of others, Levinsky says it still speaks to fundamental problems still affecting this country.

He said, “Utah was founded as a refuge from religious persecution and it’s very upsetting to find this happening in our state.”

School district officials say these hate symbols could reach the level of what they call a “safe school violation,” and if a student is responsible, they could be expelled.

Read more:

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Crime, Police + Courts

Exclusive video obtained by KSL NewsRadio shows Salt Lake hit-and-run in the Avenues neighborhood. ...

Eric Cabrera

WATCH: Exclusive video shows woman survives Salt Lake City hit and run

KSL NewsRadio has exclusively obtained footage of a Salt Lake City hit-and-run, where a woman was struck while out for a run in the Avenues.

8 hours ago

Defense attorney John Prior questions David Warwick during Chad Daybell's preliminary hearing in Fr...

Emma Keddington

Judge orders gag order for upcoming Chad Daybell case

Judge Steven Boyce has issued a gag order in the Chad Daybell case, after Daybell's attorney spoke with a media outlet.

9 hours ago

12 year old driver shown driving erratically on freeway...

Sam Herrera

WATCH: Police release dash cam footage of 12-year-old driver

The Utah Highway Patrol said the 12-year-old driver stole her mom's car. The girl was briefly arrested before being released to her parents.

11 hours ago

(Eric Cabrera, KSL NewsRadio)...

Simone Seikaly

Possible carjacking in West Valley City leads to car fire, ramp closure

The UHP said a car was following another car eastbound on the 201 and moved onto the ramp toward NB I-15 when one car rolled and caught fire.

12 hours ago

(Loren Richardson via KSL.com)...

Simone Seikaly

Brighton resident charged with aggravated assault for confronting snowboarder

According to court documents, and based on witness accounts, Brighton resident Keith Robert Stebbings threatened a snowboarder with a shotgun.

12 hours ago

IRS texts are bogus. Picture shows a sign saying "warning, scam alert" on a keyboard...

Britt Johnson

Millions to be paid for Utah’s largest real estate scheme settlement

Over $10 million in refunds will go to victims of a Utah-based real estate scheme following the settlement of a lawsuit.

21 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Hate symbols and racial slurs found in Park City High School, educators investigating