Discord, ‘several racist posts’ on social media investigated at east KY high school

Rowan County’s high school administrators and the local sheriff’s department have been investigating several racist posts on social media over the last few days, Superintendent John Maxey said Wednesday.

“It was brought to the attention of our administration that racist comments have been posted on social media over the last few weeks and directed towards our students,” a message on the high school’s web page said.

“Hate, prejudice and racism have no place in our schools or our community. We are striving to create a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all students and families.”

RoseAnn and Jason Mays, both pastors at a local church, said they kept their son, a junior who is black, home from school on Monday. The Mays said the posts are just one element of racial discord occurring at Rowan County High School of late.

One post provided to the Herald-Leader had a photo of black students with a reference to “black island.”

Another two posts used the n-word.

RoseAnn Mays said parents of minority students had a meeting in late October with administrators over racial issues.

“Nothing has been done since then,” she said.

Mays said racist incidents are being ignored.

Last week, some Rowan County students — with school administrators’ blessings — held a “walkout” or unity march on school grounds in support of minority students.

One concern: A “kill list” targeting students was discussed in a post.

One text mentioned by both RoseAnn Mays and the sheriff said that “country hicks” were on the list. “It’s not just projected toward race,” a text said.

Rowan County Sheriff Matt Sparks said Wednesday that so far, officers have found no credible threats at the Rowan County High School, and he’s confident there’s no “kill list.”

Sparks said he’s heard from black and white parents who fear their children are on the list.

“School resource officers and school administrators have spent the day trying to locate the source of a rumor that a fight or some confrontation was going to take place today at the school. They have been unable to locate the source of this rumor and are confident it is not a credible threat, “ a Monday post on the sheriff’s office Facebook page said.

Jason Mays said he thinks administrators have played down the issues. He said minority students are afraid to speak up for fear of being accused of starting rumors.

He said black students are walking together to keep safe.

RoseAnn Mays said black students also were uncomfortable that a book from the 1950s, which contained the n-word, was taught in a class.

She said white students were using the n-word outside of class when no teachers were around.

Sparks said students were still being questioned Wednesday and he had talked to dozens and dozens of students.

Sparks asked that anyone with concerns call him. “We are thankful that people are calling and making us aware of this issue,” he said.

“I’m hoping there will be some policy changes. I’m hoping there will be some zero-tolerance policies” to address racial bullying, said RoseAnn Mays.

Some parents are meeting about the issue Wednesday night, she said.

Jason Mays estimated that there were less than 35 black students in the school.

This story was originally published November 17, 2021 at 4:03 PM.