Boston School Committee chairman resigns after mocking names in meeting

BOSTON — Boston School Committee Chairman Michael Loconto has resigned from his post Thursday morning after reportedly mocking some people’s names during Wednesday night’s virtual meeting.

His comments, that even the mayor is calling hurtful, drew immediate reaction and criticism from other city leaders.

Katie Li was stunned on Wednesday night’s Boston School Committee Zoom call, telling Boston 25 she texted her husband asking, “Did I just hear what I thought I heard?”

Li is a core member of the Massachusetts Asian American Educators Association. She said that LoConto had just disparaged people with Asian last names who were waiting to address the school committee. Li wasn’t the only person in shock.

City Councillor Anissa Essaibi-George tweeted her reaction.

Annissa Essaibi-George said, “To hear him mocking ethnic names was distasteful, insensitive, it was offensive.”

The shockwaves rolled across social media. Essaibi-George was the first to call for LoConto’s resignation.

“For me it was unacceptable,” she said.

Shortly after noon Thursday, Mayor Marty Walsh announced he had received and accepted Loconto’s resignation. Walsh accepted and in a statement said:

“Chairman Loconto notified me earlier this morning that he is stepping down from the Boston School Committee, and I have accepted his resignation. While he conveyed to me his personal embarrassment and his desire to seek forgiveness, his comments were hurtful and wrong. None of us wishes to be defined by a single moment in our lives and no one knows that better than me. Michael is someone who has done important and difficult work for the people of Boston, and especially our children, but we cannot accept the disparagement of members of our community.”

—  Mayor Marty Walsh, Boston

Loconto also apologized for his behavior with a statement on Twitter Thursday.

However, for Asian Americans like Li, this episode highlights the racism others rarely see. Li told Boston 25 she has an idea how to tackle it saying, “We should be working across communities of color in solidarity to help each other recognize these kinds of things that are happening to each of the communities in different ways.”

City Councilor and mayoral candidate Andrea Campbell who also called for LoConto’s resignation. On social media she is now calling for the School Committee Chair to be a person of color.

Cox Media Group