Martin schools close investigation into racist photo on campus; findings will stay private

MARTIN COUNTY — The school district has completed its investigation into a racist photo taken on a middle school campus and circulated on social media. But it's keeping the findings, the identities of those involved and the details of any discipline under wraps.

The photo, taken at Hidden Oaks Middle School in Palm City, was posted on Snapchat and discovered circulating on other social media platforms Monday night. It shows six boys, all seventh graders, each holding a letter spelling out a racial slur. The school district immediately condemned the photo and launched the investigation.

It also said details of the investigation, including the names of students involved, would be kept confidential because of state and federal privacy laws.

What did the investigation uncover?

The internal investigation included interviewing all students involved, the principal and the teacher whose class was used to create the photograph; reviewing metadata from the photograph; and reviewing surveillance video from the school, the district said.

The photo, investigators found, was authentic and was not manipulated, Superintendent John Millay said in a statement Tuesday. No school personnel were involved in or knew about the students’ planning, photographing or posting of the picture on social media, he said in a statement late Thursday.

As for any discipline imposed, Millay said, the district "will address this incident consistent with its adopted policies as stated in the Code of Student Conduct."

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"We are deeply aware of the hurt and pain this photograph has caused our community, especially our Black American residents and students," Millay said in his statement. "As we have said previously, this incident is in complete opposition to our values and the ideals that we instill in our students."

Jimmy Smith, president of the NAACP of Martin County, said Friday the lack of Black teachers and leaders in the school system — and the lack of instruction in Black history and culture — is the larger issue.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation in April limiting discussion of race in schools.

"We all want second chances for all of our children," Smith said. "(The students involved) need to be reprimanded so they can learn from their behavior."

Some of the parents of the students in the photo have contacted the NAACP and shown remorse for their children's behavior and a desire to make amends, Smith said.

Smith said he plans to hold a "peace and love" rally in the coming weeks to highlight unity in the community.

The school district is making counseling available to Hidden Oaks students, and will work with community partners "to help heal the harm this incident has caused," Millay said.

"We wholeheartedly understand the crucial importance of nurturing a continued dialogue in our community, specifically including our students, to create and foster a learning environment and community free of bigotry, hate and racism," he said.

Lina Ruiz is TCPalm's watchdog reporter for Martin County. You can reach her at lina.ruiz@tcpalm.com, on Twitter @Lina_Ruiz48 or at 321-501-3845

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Martin County School District finishes investigation into racist photo