(This story has been updated to add new information)
The superintendent of Tishomingo Public Schools apologized Thursday and canceled homecoming activities and Friday’s football game after a photo of six high school students displaying a racial slur went viral on social media.
The image shows six boys from Tishomingo High School carrying Scrabble tiles that form a racial slur. School district superintendent Brandon Moreland called the action an “extremely poor decision” in a statement.
“Racism and discrimination in any form will never be tolerated or accepted on our campus and do not reflect the values of our students, our school or our community,” Moreland said. “Our student body and staff include members of all backgrounds, races and religions, which is one of the many aspects that make our campus exceptional.”
A separate notice was posted around 4:30 p.m. Thursday announcing that Tishomingo Public Schools’ homecoming activities scheduled for Friday, including the parade and football game, would be canceled due to “safety concerns.”
“While it is unfortunate that the actions of a few have impacted a long-standing tradition enjoyed by many in our community, discussions with our partners in local law enforcement reinforce the district’s decision to cancel, with the safety of Tishomingo and Antlers students, fans and participants as our top priority,” the statement said.
Some people on social media said the students pictured were Tishomingo High School football players and the photo was taken as part of the school’s spirit week. On Monday, students were asked to wear a black T-shirt to receive a random Scrabble tile to attach to themselves.
Moreland’s letter did not mention whether the students were football players. As of publication time, Tishomingo Public Schools did not respond to The Oklahoman’s request for comment.
Moreland apologized to members of the Tishomingo community in the statement and said the safety of TPS students is the school district’s highest priority.
“We recognize the critical role of education and remain committed to fostering a culture of respect, integrity and responsibility among our students and the broader community,” Moreland said.
Although privacy laws prohibited the district from disclosing details of the situation, school administrators immediately contacted the parents of the students involved and promptly initiated disciplinary action, Moreland said.
“I hope this swift response underscores our district’s commitment to maintaining a campus environment that is inclusive, respectful and safe for all,” Moreland said.
