Another racist incident at PCHS

For the second time in less than a month, the Platte County School District has issued a press release about another racist incident within the district.

This latest issue came out Thursday night from Platte County High School principal Dr. Chad Sayre.

In his email to parents, which was also shared by the district with media outlets, he mentioned a staff member reported a noose made out of shoestring was found in a boys restroom at the north end of PCHS around 11 a.m.

Video surveillance was reviewed and students were spoken with in order to gather further information the press release said.

“The image of a noose has a significant impact,” Sayre wrote. “This incident, combined with the recent Google Document containing racist and hateful speech shared throughout our district causes us again to emphasize that our district does not tolerate acts of racism, hate speech or inappropriate, disruptive behavior.”

The email noted if anyone had information to contact the school at 858-2822.

In November, a Google Document was shared with multiple paragraphs of racist bile. Parents were outraged when that happened and the lack of forthcoming information from the district when the incident was first received. The district offered a second press release about the incident after local television stations got wind of the news.

Parents and employees spoke about race issues at the November school board meeting.

This isn’t the first time a noose has been found at the school. In the spring, a student made a hangman’s noose in a bathroom stall at the Paxton School on May 30.

The Platte City Police Department investigated it as a possible hate crime but the juvenile office determined no crime had been committed and the investigation was dropped. A 15-year-old boy was the guilty party.

“Platte County School District has and will continue to make a strong statement that we do not tolerate any violation of our board policy, including those relating to harassment or discrimination based on race,” Platte County Superintendent Dr. Mike Reik said in a press release. “Students will be held accountable for violations of our board policy. Our principals have also recently addressed our students to clearly articulate a zero tolerance stance on acts of racism and hate, as well as to open avenues for continued conversation related to climate and equity. We ask that our parents partner with us in creating an inclusive environment that is safe and caring for all learners, by reinforcing this message with your students.”