Greenville, TX (WBAP/KLIF) – Greenville ISD officials have issued a statement to the school community regarding a photo which it has confirmed includes a district teacher who is white, with her foot on the neck of an African American student.
The picture was reportedly emailed to the mother of the student involved on Tuesday with the words, “Today is the Day,” referencing the verdict in the Derek Chauvin murder trial.
A statement the district community called the photo “upsetting,” and said that officials immediately contacted the family to check on the student’s well-being.”
According to EGreenvilleNewsExtra reporter Brian Cowie who broke the story, the child is 11-years old and the family was very distraught over receiving the photo, “especially with the trial of Derek Chauvin going on.”
Meantime, GISD Superintendent Dr. Demetrus Liggins, (pictured right) told the WBAP/KLIF newsroom that his initial thought upon seeing the photo that it is “disturbing.” He says that he immediately got the district’s human relations office involved to conduct an investigation. Dr. Liggins said that the district embraces diversity and that the incident is “atypical for our community.”
Liggins gave no timeline as to the length of the investigation but said that it will be thorough, and that it’s being taken very seriously. He said, “There will be an outcome and consequences than more that likely will be severe.”
Liggins also says that the child in question is doing fine, according to the family.
The staff member is reportedly under investigation.
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