Fort Worth ISD is launching a third-party investigation after students reportedly shouted racial slurs at a high school football game in September.
In a statement this week, the school board said an independent examination will follow the district’s internal investigation, which was unable to identify the responsible students. The board said it was appalled by the incident and that those involved could face suspension, expulsion or other disciplinary measures.
“We want to make it unequivocally clear that Fort Worth ISD will not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, or hate speech of any kind,” the board said.
At a Sept. 13 football game, cheerleaders at North Side High School said students at Arlington Heights High School shouted racial slurs, taunts and sexist insults when they approached the stands to give the Heights’ cheerleaders a gift, per tradition.
Both schools selected themes for the football game at Fort Worth’s Farrington Field. North Side chose “Viva Northside” in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Arlington Heights chose U.S.A.,” in honor of the 23rd anniversary of 9/11. Arlington Heights students wore red, white and blue and waved American flags, including some for former President Donald Trump, according to a report in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Some students said at a news conference after the game that nearby adults did not intervene as students yelled slurs. Nearly 94% of students at North Side are Latino, compared to 52% at Arlington Heights, according to state data.
Fort Worth ISD trustee Camille Rodriguez, who represents the city’s North Side, apologized to her constituents Thursday on Facebook for the lack of a resolution.
“It really upsets me that North Side students were first subjected to this behavior and now feel too discouraged to go through the investigation again,” the trustee wrote. “Our students should NEVER have to experience racism, misogyny and hate.”
The district did not publicly name the third-party that would investigate the issue, but said it has already conducted interviews and reviewed statements from students and staff at both schools. Despite these efforts, the district said its own investigation could not identify who made the racially charged statements.
Trustee Kevin Lynch, who represents Arlington Heights, did not immediately respond to an email Thursday.
FWISD For All, which says it fights for safe, equitable schools, called for accountability in a statement posted to Facebook. The organization said North Side parents and community members requested and received one-on-one meetings with several district leaders, including Interim Superintendent Karen Molinar and Board President Roxanne Martinez. The statement said Lynch did not respond to a request for a meeting.
“We will not let racist incidents like these go unchecked. We will continue to fight for a safe and inclusive environment for all students in FWISD,” the statement said. “It’s crucial that we are united against racism in FWISD and demand better from our school district!”
