Wyner Family Papers

              THE   PUBLIC   SCHOOLS   OF   BROOKLINE
BROOKLINE.   MASSACHUSETTS  02146
Area Code 617     734-1111
School Committee
ann m. wacke
ELLSWORTH E. ROSEN    May    1978
JOHN CONNORTON 
BRIAN  L.  CONRY
JACQUES M.   DRONSICK
JOSEPH ROBINSON
BARBARA SENECAL
ROGER W.   STERN
NATALIE G.   ZUCKERMAN
Mr. Justin L. Wyner
33 Martha's Lane
Chestnut Hill, MA 02167
Dear Mr. Wyner:
I would like to clarify the issue which Mr. Kayakachoian
has raised regarding a slur which was directed towards him.
The School Committee decries bigoted comments, public or
private, delivered against any human being and said so when
Mr. Kayakachoian appeared before them in September.
Our record with respect to curriculum and programs which
help students appreciate the value of human differences is
very clear as is our employment record vis-avis affirmative
action.  Indeed, we are currently doing a program, which is
a model nationally, to teach the results of genocide.
On the other hand, the School Committee does not support the
concept of guilt by association when in this case the
individual who is in our employ indicated that it was a
relative who made the slurring remark, and our employee was
very sorry her relative made that remark.
On the specifics, therefore, the issue before us was a moot
one although members of the School Committee at that time
clearly voiced opposition to any sort of ethnic slurs.
I hope this letter clarifies the School Committee's stand
against bigotry.  We regret the incident ever occurred, and
hope the matter is now resolved.
Very truly yours,
Ellsworth E. Rosen
Chairman
Brookline School Committee