‘The school is not protecting them’: Massachusetts parent blows whistle on public school for ignoring trans student’s ‘hit list’

A whistleblower has spoken out against a Massachusetts middle school where a transgender student allegedly created a “hit list” of 45 fellow students.

An anonymous parent, speaking to the Daily Mail, expressed concerns over the safety of students at Watertown Middle School.

“The kid with a 40+ person hit list, who has faced minimal consequences and been favored at every turn, obviously has a lot of anger – and who knows what they will do,” the parent said. “Students on the hit list have prepared to fight for their lives if they need to.

“They know the school is not protecting them.”

The parent further claimed any criticism or concerns raised about the transgender 7th grader are being dismissed as transphobic.

“There are people in school leadership who can’t or won’t differentiate between legitimate concern about the actions of a trans person and a general attack on all trans people,” the whistleblower said. 

The alleged hit list came to light in January when a teacher overheard students discussing the names on it. A subsequent investigation reportedly uncovered a document titled “hit list” on the transgender student’s Chromebook. 

After interviewing the student, school administrators concluded they didn’t have access to weapons and therefore didn’t pose a “credible threat” to the 560 other middle schoolers.  

However, the parent claims there’s a threat of a “potential physical attack” due to the transgender student’s large size. 

“[They’re] physically big for a 7^th grader – definitely bigger than a majority of students in the school,” the whistleblower explained.  

However, during a school forum, Superintendent Deanne Galdston criticized parents who were worried about student safety and spoke of the need to address “anti-trans and other biased behavior.”  

“Parents are scared, worn down and disgusted,” the anonymous parent told the Mail. “So many have had their trust in Watertown’s schools shattered. It’s horrible to learn that your child has been put on a hit list by another student. 

“But, to then have your concerns ignored, have administrators deceive the greater community, and have the needs of the perpetrator be so blatantly put over the needs of the victims takes things to a whole other level that it’s overwhelming.” 

Matthew McCarthy, a school spokesman, declined to comment on the whistleblower claims.  

“We will address any concerns parents have on an individual basis and will offer no additional public comment in response to this one parent,” McCarthy told the news outlet. “There have been no incidents since January and this matter has been closed since then.”