Racist and antisemitic graffiti appeared in a boys' bathroom at Lexington High School on Sept. 2, the first day of the school year.

Three students discovered the N-word and a swastika scrawled on a bathroom stall wall and reported it to the dean, Principal Andrew Baker wrote in a message to families, the Lexington Observer reported. The school year was one day old.

Superintendent Julie Hackett told the Lexington Observer the district is "fully investigating this issue." Baker said any student found responsible will face disciplinary action and mandatory education about the history and impact of the word and symbol. He urged students with information to tell a trusted adult.

The school has scheduled an extended homeroom on Thursday, Sept. 10. Students will create artwork and affirmations tied to the district's "We All Belong" core value. Baker wrote that the activity will help shape the messages and symbols students see in hallways and classrooms.

Pattern across the district

The incident follows similar graffiti found in a boys' bathroom at Diamond Middle School in December 2025. That graffiti included a neo-Nazi symbol and a racist anti-Black epithet. Cole, who is gay and a person of color, was targeted by name, Diamond Principal Johnny Cole wrote to families at the time.

The Lexington Observer reported in December 2025 that the Diamond incident was the third such episode since 2023 to unsettle Jewish students at the school.

In response, the district hired a third party to deliver an antisemitism lesson to Diamond students in May. That lesson drew mixed feedback from parents and national media attention, including coverage from the Jerusalem Post and Fox News.

Over the summer, Lexington Public Schools (LPS) administrators took part in what Hackett called a "Summer Work Intensive," reading and planning how to address all forms of hate, including racism and antisemitism.

Hackett said the district will continue partnering with community groups including the Lexington United African American Association (LUAA) and the Association of Black Citizens of Lexington (ABCL).

The Sept. 10 extended homeroom is the next scheduled school response. The district has not said whether Lexington Police are involved in the investigation.