BAINBRIDGE, Ohio — Community members of Kenston Local Schools are furious over social media videos appearing showing students using threatening language and racial slurs. Many parents attended a school board meeting on Tuesday to air their grievances.
"We absolutely have no faith in your ability to protect our Black sons and daughters that attend Kenston Locals Schools," one parent told the Board.
Because the footage has minors in it and we can't verify its origin, 3News has chosen to blur it and remove the audio in our story above. On Wednesday, parent Samera Hollimon described the students' repetitive use of the n-word in the videos.
"He basically said, "I hate Ns,' 'I want all Ns to die,' 'I want to wipe them off the face of the planet,'" she said of one of the videos. "He said, 'You all can agree with me.'"
Hollimon claimed the other video showed a student repeatedly saying, "Eff Ns."
"It's crazy," she said. "When I saw the video, I was really outdone. I was hurt. With all the mass shootings that's going on, what if this kid comes and actually brings a gun and shoots all of the Black students?"
Hollimon says she filed a report with the Bainbridge Township Police Department before filing a second with the FBI for a hate crime.
"I would not allow my sixth grader to go to Kenston and have to face racial things," she said. "Later on in life, she's going to have to do that. I won't allow it as a child. I'm her mom. I'm going to protect her, and I'm going to protect all the students in my community."
Another parent, Lastacia Mack, told us she's afraid for her three children that attend the district.
"I was appalled," she said. "I was very shocked. Just the audacity that he will call out Black folks in that way and to threaten their lives. I would like this kid to be expelled. I don't think that he should be allowed to attend Kenston Schools for the safety of all of the students there."
WKYC also talked to rising eighth grader Aria Lemons.
"When I was watching the videos, I just felt unsafe and I was scared for myself, my family, and my community, and I just feel like people should be treated equally," she expressed.
Kenston Schools Superintendent Steve Sayers posted a letter to the district community on its website Tuesday, which read:
"The administration and Board of Education at Kenston Schools are aware of an off-campus incident involving students using threatening language and racial slurs on social media.
"Please know that safety is our top priority. Kenston Schools are very concerned about this type of behavior and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment. District policy is in place to ensure that students are protected from harassment (any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of technology, or written, verbal, or physical conduct directed against a student) based on race, color, national origin, or any other characteristic protected under federal or Ohio law. We are committed to providing a safe environment where all of our students feel welcome, safe, and respected.
"We are currently gathering information about the incident and will continue to do so. In addition, the Bainbridge Police Department is aware of the incident and is investigating as well. The district will continue to update the community as additional information becomes available."
This letter reiterated sentiments he had shared at the board meeting the night prior.
"We as a district, as you've heard, are very much aware of this incident, and it's very disturbing and we are very, very concerned about it," Sayers told the room after several parents gave passionate remarks during public comment. "It's clear that we have some work to do as a district, and as I said, we're not only aware of this, but administratively, we are working on it."
Many of the upset parents complained of a consistent "culture of racism" at the school district that started long before these social media videos, and wanted to know what administrators planned to do to reverse this discouraging trend.
3News was provided this statement by a district spokeswoman when we took that concern to them:
"Administrators will be returning to the office from summer break very soon and meetings are scheduled to speak about these issues. At Kenston, we use our PEAK (Peaceful Environment at Kenston), framework and tools to promote a culture of acceptance, understanding, and achievement for all students and families.
It is clear there is room for improvement, and collectively our administrators will be meeting, as this will be a top priority for the upcoming year. Ultimately, we will need the help of students, staff, parents, and the community to fully address this issue. We will find a way through this together for the good of our community and the good of our students," said Amy Sparks, Director of Communications at Kenston Local Schools
On Wednesday, 3News asked Kenston Local Schools what, if anything, they plan to do with the students in the videos. They responded, "Due to the ongoing investigation of this incident, we cannot provide any additional comments."
We then spoke on the phone with Bainbridge Township Police Chief Jon Bokovitz, and he said they are aware of the case and have handed it to the Geauga County Prosecutor's Office for further review.