After Racist Bathroom Message, Student Says Response Fell Short

By JOSHUA YOUNGQUIST
COOPERSTOWN

Sixteen-year-old Josiah Wirchansky has spent most of his school career learning how to navigate Cooperstown Central not just as a student, but as one of the few students of color in the district. “It’s been a little bit harder than normal,” he said of the past few days.

Over the years, Josiah and his mother, April, say they have reported multiple incidents involving racial harassment—some directed at him personally, others written in bathroom stalls or overheard on the football field.

“Pretty much since seventh grade we’ve had an instance every year,” April said.

Each time, they say, the school’s response has been slow, minimal or dismissive. But the most recent incident, involving a violent phrase paired with a racial slur written inside a boys’ bathroom stall, pushed the family to speak publicly.

Josiah first saw the writing early in the school day. He described walking into the bathroom and finding the message scrawled on the inside of a stall door. He returned to class, sat with it for a moment and then decided to report it.

Principal Laurie LaMondie wasn’t in her office, so he went to Nicole Conway, the school’s athletic director, who listened and waited for the principal to arrive. When she did, Josiah repeated the story. He said LaMondie called the writing “unacceptable,” went to check the bathroom herself, and later told him custodial staff had been sent to remove it.

But what stayed with Josiah wasn’t the cleanup, it was what happened next.

He said the principal pointed him toward a bulletin board labeled “Hispanic Heritage Month,” as if that display constituted meaningful action or education around racism.

“Literally the only thing on it is Hispanic Heritage Month,” he said. “And then there’s like, what’s for lunch that day and schedules and stuff.”

The next day, the school made a brief announcement over the loudspeaker, acknowledging “writing in the bathroom” and saying the district would not tolerate hateful language. But Josiah said the message avoided mentioning racism directly.

“They danced around the subject,” he said. “Now is the time to be transparent,” he added.

For Josiah, the incident didn’t feel isolated. He said past experiences have taught him to “keep my eye out” for comments, writing or behavior that signal racial hostility. “I just kinda keep my eye out for the same sort of stuff,” he said.

He doesn’t think most teachers or administrators understand what it’s like for him.

“I doubt many of them do,” he said. “But I can’t speak for other people.”

April’s account stretches back years. She described incidents beginning around seventh grade, including one in which a teammate asked Josiah what it felt like to be the only Black player on the football team.

When Josiah didn’t respond immediately, the boy added, “It doesn’t make any difference—you m*****s are all the same.” April contacted the boy’s mother first, hoping the family would address it. When she received no follow up, she brought it to the school. The student was reprimanded but remained on the team. April said he later apologized and has not repeated the behavior.

Other incidents, she said, have involved slurs shouted on the football field by players from opposing teams.

April credits Josiah’s coach, Dan Talbot, for addressing racism directly with the team and making clear it would not be tolerated. She also praised special education teacher Ryan Whirtley, who she said has consistently supported Josiah and responded quickly when issues arise.

“Dan Talbot has been excellent,” April said. “Ryan Whirtley has been a godsend.”

Josiah said two close friends have also been supportive—“They were very kind,” he commented.

But when it comes to the administration, both Josiah and April describe a pattern: reactive, not proactive.

“They definitely dropped the ball,” Josiah said.

April echoed the sentiment. “I gave them the benefit of the doubt last year,” she said of the school. “And it fell by the wayside.”

Ann Meccariello, interim superintendent of the Cooperstown Central School District, stated to AllOtsego, “We conducted an investigation” and added that “the State Police were very satisfied with the way the district handled the situation.”

Meccariello added that, “Every situation is different” and that the “high-school principal, Laurie LaMondie, also read a statement to the entire student body the day after the event which focused on respect, responsibility, and good character. A strong message of not tolerating this type of hateful comment was also sent in her message.”

Unfortunately, since the comments were written inside of a public restroom in the school, no culprit has been identified.

“Disciplinary measures were not specifically taken because we did not know who wrote the comment. However, we are in the process of working with outside organizations and the state police on upcoming assemblies/meetings with students, focused on the topic of hurtful and hateful speech.” Meccariello stated.

Josiah contends that this was short lived.

“Aside from the first day I made my complaint, I haven’t heard from anybody since,” he said.

In contrast, April said the community’s response—especially online—has been overwhelmingly supportive. However, she believes many families in the district don’t discuss racism at home unless it affects their own children.

Josiah agreed: “If it’s not my problem, I don’t [care] about it,” he said, describing what he believes is the mindset in some households.

“That’s how it is for honestly anything,” he said.

When asked what he hopes comes next, Josiah said he wants the school to “figure something out.”

He wants real education, real conversations and real acknowledgment of what students of color experience.

“If you have a kid of color in school, especially around here,” he said, “it could be one of your children…It should be talked about more,” he said.

Meccariello stated that “This type of behavior is unacceptable. We [the administration] will continue to expect that our students demonstrate respect, responsibility, and good character in their words and actions. Together, we can ensure that everyone is respected, everyone belongs and that everyone can learn in our school community.”

This article was updated on October 15.