Fifth-graders at Tucker Elementary in Milton stumbled on the n‑word printed in a classroom French–English dictionary earlier this month, an ugly find that has left families upset as the school year winds down. At dismissal, parents and community members showed up in red shirts to back Black students, and several Tucker families have launched a new campaign called Milton Reckoning to push the district for changes. Milton Public Schools says the offending volume has been removed and that leaders are reviewing materials and conducting an internal inquiry into how the book stayed in circulation.
The derogatory entry appeared in an outdated translation dictionary that students found during a small-group French class, and one student reportedly read the slur aloud in front of classmates. According to The Boston Globe, the district emailed families that staff followed procedures and that the book was taken out of circulation while the district investigates.
Parents Publish June 12 Package And Call For Working Group
Tucker families pulled together a five-part package that includes a cover letter, research, an institutional inventory, recommendations and harm testimonials, then posted it on Milton Reckoning on June 12. The group’s recommendations urge the School Committee to create a Racial Accountability Working Group with parent representation, a six‑month mandate and regular public reporting.
District Backs Working Group And Reviews Books
Milton’s interim superintendent told reporters the district is "working with Tucker families" and "agreed to form a working group of educators and families to execute an action plan," and that officials are reviewing policies and materials across the district. The Boston Globe quoted John Phelan as saying, "We acknowledge that there is clearly more work to be done to ensure that every child feels safe, welcome, and supported."
Parents See A Pattern They Want Fixed
Families point to other race-related flashpoints in recent years, including a 2020 episode in which a Milton middle school teacher was briefly put on leave after a lesson on police racism, as reported by WGBH. The district also faced a federal civil-rights complaint in 2023 over a math program aimed at boosting Black and Latino enrollment in advanced courses; the filing is available in a public complaint posted by Parents Defending Education. The complaint argued the program raised Title VI concerns, a dispute that has added fuel to tensions around equity work.
What Families Say They Want Next
Parents say they expect the School Committee and the proposed working group to move quickly and with transparency, including clear membership, timelines and public updates. Milton Reckoning’s recommendations include mandatory anti-racism training for staff and families, a transparent racial-incident response protocol, and public reporting on progress, according to Milton Reckoning. For many families, they say any attempt to rebuild trust now hinges on sustained action rather than a single statement from the district.
