Johnson County school’s stadium vandalized on MLK Day with vulgar, racially foul language
Vandals defaced the football stadium and press box at Blue Valley High School in Overland Park on Martin Luther King Jr. Day with graphic images and vulgar, racially offensive language and damaged equipment, school officials said.
Principal Charles Golden sent a letter to students, parents and staff on Monday alerting them of the hateful and malicious acts, which he described as “extremely upsetting news.”
“This morning we learned that the Blue Valley High football stadium and press box were vandalized overnight,” Golden said. “The vandalism includes the destruction of property, graphic images, and vulgar and racially offensive language. Hate like this has no place at Blue Valley High and is not representative of our Tiger community.”
The stadium, located at the high school at 6001 W 159th St. in Overland Park, was closed to allow the district to evaluate the damage and address the vandalism, he said.
A cost estimate on the damages was not available Tuesday morning, said Kaci Brutto, a spokeswoman for Blue Valley Schools.
She echoed Golden’s message that “hate and malicious acts of vandalism have no place at Blue Valley High or at any Blue Valley school.”
Video of the vandalism circulating on social media showed the N-word and other racist and homophobic slurs, as well as a swastika spray painted inside the press box.
Overland Park’s Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee on Tuesday condemned the vandalism and emphasized the “local act of hate is not an isolated incident.” The group said 81% of students surveyed in the region last year reported experiencing or witnessing at least one form of antisemitism at school.
“We strongly denounce this serious act of hate, which included swastikas alongside other hateful racist and homophobic messages,” Executive Director Gavriela Geller said in an email. “The actions are even more abhorrent given the timing of the incident on Martin Luther King Day, a day where we remember the legacy of Dr. King and are encouraged to improve our communities.”
The group conducted training for Blue Valley administrators and principals in August 2021 on how to better understand and support Jewish students. Leaders said they are prepared to continue working with the district to offer support.
The district is working with the Overland Park Police Department to investigate the vandalism and encouraged anyone with information to contact the Overland Park Police Department at 913-895-6300 or School Resource Officer Trevor Burgess at 913-239-4825.
As of Tuesday morning, there have not been any arrests regarding the vandalism and the incident remained under investigation, said Officer John Lacy, a spokesman for the police department.
“We are asking families to partner with us by talking with your children about this situation,” Golden said. “If you or your child have information about the vandalism that took place last night, please contact me or a member of the Blue Valley High administrative team.”
The high school’s staff will support students as they process the vandalism, and are making a counselor or member of the student support team available to students who need them, Golden said.
This story was originally published January 17, 2023 at 10:46 AM.
