Westchester high school under scrutiny after disturbing incident tied to student-run event flyer

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Tensions are mounting in the Scarsdale school community after a troubling incident at the high school ignited outrage, concern, and renewed calls for accountability.

What began as a student effort to promote a cultural event quickly escalated into a situation many are calling deeply disturbing.

Parents are demanding answers and students are seeking reassurance.

School district leaders say changes are on the way.

A flyer for an event celebrating the 78th Independence Day of Israel was put in a Scarsdale high school urinal.

The flyer was circulated by the student-run Israeli culture club that welcomes all students.

The picture of the flyer in the urinal was reposted by the daughter of the president of the school board and added, "keep up the good work."

"I was in the bathroom while the fliers were being put in the urinals and I saw who did it and as an ally of the Jewish community, I'm just extremely disappointed," a student said.

"At least for kids who did it, suspension or if not, completely kicking them out of school. This is a hate crime," another student said.

The Scarsdale school superintendent called the actions "unacceptable antisemitic conduct."

He said there's an investigation and that there will be disciplinary action against the students responsible.

There is a petition in Scarsdale that strongly condemns the antisemitic incident at Scarsdale High School that more than 700 parents have now signed.

It calls for the resignation of any school board member whose family is directly connected, meaning the School Board President.

The School Board President James Dugan said, " I condemn that conduct as I do any conduct that condones antisemitism or otherwise targets any religion, ethnicity, race or nationality. As a parent I will focus on healing my family."

The daughter of the school board president said in a statement to the NY Post that her post was 'offensive and inappropriate,' and took it down.

The school principal also condemned the vandalism of the flyers, and confirmed an investigation and that disciplinary action will happen.

"We have heard concerns the unlabeled map in the flyer seems to include disputed territories as part of the state of Israel," Kenneth Bonamo said.

I asked the students what they would say to the kids who ripped down the flyers and put them in the urinal.

"I think you should know that their actions are absolutely disgusting and you should feel ashamed of themselves," a student said to the students who put the flier there.

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.