Ann Arbor Public Schools issued the following announcement on Sept 4.
Statement from Superintendent Swift Regarding Pioneer Football Game Participation:
In the Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS), we stand firm against any and all acts of bias, bigotry and racism.
During Thursday night’s junior varsity football game at Bedford High School, there were alleged racial taunts made by Bedford players toward Pioneer players. As soon as the Pioneer coach became aware of this issue, steps were taken during the Thursday game by our coach to address this matter with the involvement of game officials. Today, the Pioneer administrative team has engaged with the Bedford team in a follow-up investigation, to confirm the facts of what occurred, and to determine appropriate follow-up steps to address this matter. At this current time, these investigative and follow-up steps remain in process.
In addition to the work with the Bedford team, the director of high school football for the MHSAA has been notified, and the assignor of football officials for the SEC has been contacted to discuss this matter specifically, as has the lead administrator for football for the SEC.
As Superintendent of Schools, I am also in contact this evening with the Superintendent of Bedford schools.
Late this afternoon, the Pioneer varsity football coach made the decision to not play this evening’s game versus the varsity team from Bedford based on the incident from Thursday night.
In the Ann Arbor Public Schools, we take seriously all situations involving harm to our students, and we are committed to address all situations of racism that may arise, without fear. While we understand the consequences of not playing this game as they relate to enjoyment of a September evening of football and wins and losses, we fully and unequivocally support the position of our coach to demand a full accounting of the incident from Thursday night and to take action to avoid placing our AAPS athletes in a position to potentially be treated in the same manner. We stand fully in support of Principal Lowder, the coach, and the Pioneer administrative team in the deliberate steps they have taken to fully investigate this matter, and to stand strong against acts of racism and harm to our students.
We will continue our work to clarify facts in this situation and to determine appropriate steps moving forward to support our student athletes and all our students in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.
Original source can be found here.
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