More derogatory and hateful graffiti was found at Sequim Middle School this weekend, according to officials with the Sequim School District and Sequim Police Department.

Sgt. Jeff Thaxton said in a phone interview the graffiti on the school’s basketball court, parking signs and a classroom door was reported early Sunday, Oct. 23, to police.

Thaxton reports the suspect(s) drew and wrote numerous graphic and sexual terms and images.

Sequim Schools superintendent Regan Nickels said in an email to families the graffiti included a “racial slur, prejudice labeling of LGBTQ people, two swastikas and vulgar, defamatory language toward females.”

The graffiti covered the width of the basketball court, and school maintenance staff spray painted over more than 20 small and large tags by Sunday afternoon.

Nickels said no threats were made through the graffiti, and classes resumed as normal on Monday, Oct. 24.

She wrote, “This act of bigotry cannot be tolerated.

“While in this instance, a direct threat was not made toward one or more individuals or groups, the derogatory language is evidence of bigotry and hate speech.

“As a school district and community, we must come together to denounce these acts, these instances of hate speech and the defacement of our community school campuses.”

She said they’ll be reviewing available camera footage with police to seek those responsible.

Thaxton said Sequim Police believe at least one juvenile was involved in the incident, and they continue to investigate if any evidence was left behind.

Police officers also believe at least one juvenile tagged threatening graffiti on Helen Haller Elementary and the Middle School on or before Sept. 4.

Sequim Schools resource officer Kyle Resser said they continue to go through video footage, while seeking leads through the department’s non-emergency line at 360-683-7227.

The Sept. 4 messages included “be ready” written next to a swastika, a second larger swastika, and “Sandy hook 2” — referring to the Dec. 14, 2012, shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

In her Oct. 23 email, Nickels wrote that “the message of ‘See Something, Say Something’ continues to apply here as we monitor social media and investigate other sources for information on the occurrence.”

School district staff set an interim plan to install additional camera surveillance over winter break, she said, as a “larger, comprehensive safety and security upgrade is being planned for Summer 2023.”

Since the Sept. 4 graffiti incident, district staff have re-prioritized facility projects to include safety measures sooner following feedback from families.

In her email, Nickels said, “the emotional and physical safety of ALL of our students and staff is essential” and they’ve invested in “Character Strong” curriculum to “increase belonging, improve engagement and to promote well-being among our student body.”

She wrote, “Clearly, this need continues to rise to the top as we face a need to develop empathy and respect for each other.”

Nickels encouraged families to speak with their children about incidents in and out of school related to defamation and/or bullying, and to call school principals and/or guidance counselors if something comes to light.

“Every child deserves to come to school each day feeling as though they are safe and belong,” Nickels wrote.

“Sequim School District will be working to identify a strong response to this instance of graffiti and defamation including training, inclusionary practices and the priority of student voice in the solution.”

For more about the Sequim School District, call 360-582-3260, or visit sequimschools.org.

Editor’s note: Reporter Matthew Nash has family employed and enrolled in Sequim School District.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash More than 20 explicit graffiti taggings were found the morning of Oct. 23 at Sequim Middle School on the basketball court, parking signs and a classroom door. Sequim School district maintenance staff finished spray painting over the numerous graphic and sexual terms and images by Sunday afternoon. Sequim Police Sergeant Jeff Thaxton said they suspect at least one juvenile was involved and they continue to investigate and seek available video footage.