PA school administrators use n-word to describe students, teachers: Sources

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share via Email
• Copy Link

  Link Copied

NBC Philadelphia – Racially-charged text messages are behind the recent resignations of two Philadelphia-area school administrators, sources say.

A 100 page transcript provided by those sources reveal a series of N-word laden text messages were exchanged between Coatesville Area School District Superintendent, Richard Como, and Director of Athletics and Activities, Jim Donato. The messages were written and received on district-issued cell phones.

The messages, first reported by The Daily Local of West Chester on Sunday and obtained by NBC10 on Monday, were uncovered by a district IT employee before the start of the school year, according to officials. That employee brought it to the attention of the school board, prompting Como and Donato to resign. Chester County prosecutors eventually launched a criminal investigation.

“All should just have whatever first names they want…then last name is N—–! Leroy N—–, Preacher N—–, Night train n—–, Clarence n—–, Latoya n—–, Thelma n—– and so on,” read one message sent from Donato’s phone on the night of June 4.

“Great idea! Joe n—– bill n—– snake n—– got a nice ring to it,” Como replied.

“hahahahahahahahahahahaha could have whole homerooms of N—–,” came another message from Como’s phone.

“hahahahahahahahaha! Will N—– report to office, pardon the interruption but will N—– report to nurses office. N—– to lunch now!” Donato said.

Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said once he learned about the racist messages, he asked the district to turn over copies of the conversations and the phones used. A request to which the district complied.

“The texts that we have reviewed are appalling,” Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said Monday. “They look like something from the 1800s, not 2013.”

DA Hogan would not elaborate on any additional details about the case citing the on-going investigation.

NBC10 made multiple attempts to speak with Como and Donato by phone and in-person, but at the time of publication, have been unable to make contact.

Como, a longtime and well-liked administrator, shocked the school community when he abruptly resigned from his post in the beginning of the school year in late August. Donato left his job a few days later. Coatesville is a predominately black community and both Como and Donato are white.

More than a week later, on September 10, school board officials said the two left their posts amid a criminal investigation by the county prosecutor. Officials, however, would not comment further, citing the investigation.