Custer Baker Intermediate School is pictured on November 13, 2023. The message “be respectful and responsible” is displayed on the digital sign.
Daily Journal file photo
Parents have recently expressed concerns about a Franklin Community Schools administrator who used a racial slur in front of students.
Parents have specifically named the principal of Custer Baker Intermediate School as using the “n-word” in several social media posts.
The incident occurred some time ago and community members are speaking out on social media, criticizing the school district for not taking action or sharing a public statement on the matter.
“How come no one is talking about the fact that the CBIS principal used the actual n-word with students,” one post says. “How come the school hasn’t released a statement? Denouncing hate speech? How come she still works there?”
Some parents, however, defended her actions.
The district provided a statement to the Daily Journal on the incident Friday. The statement provided by Robin Betts, Franklin Schools spokesperson, describes the incident and actions the district has taken since then. The statement attributes the conversation around the slur to building administrators, rather than just the principal.
Here is the full statement: “In an effort to address the growing number of students using derogatory comments, racial slurs, and disrespectful comments, CBIS administrators met with homeroom classes to discuss this behavior. During this discussion, the racial slur was used by building administrators in describing the inappropriate actions and disrespect.
CBIS families were notified about these discussions last week as they were occurring. Mistakes were made, and at no time is hate language acceptable in Franklin Community Schools. Since the initial conversation, administrators have begun following up with the students and parents who might have been negatively impacted by these comments. Franklin Community Schools is following due process for involved personnel.”
