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Pine-Richland School District taking 'appropriate next steps' after student's 'racist' Homecoming message

Pine-Richland taking 'appropriate next steps' after 'racist' message
Pine-Richland taking 'appropriate next steps' after 'racist' message 02:49

GIBSONIA, Pa. (KDKA) - The Pine-Richland School District said it's taking "appropriate next steps" after a photo showed a high school student asking a girl to Homecoming with a "racist" and "highly offensive" message.

The sign, which KDKA has decided not to show for its offensive language, shows two white students, with the boy asking a girl to homecoming by making a racist statement towards African Americans on a poster.

Tanisha Lydic has three kids, but she's already pulled one of them out of the district because of how they were treated. 

"This is an example of when you're apathetic and you're negligent to your student body. This is what happens," Lydic said. 

She said when her daughter showed her the picture, there was more than just a joke that could be seen on the students' faces.

"I saw the failure of our district, the failure to guide our students properly," she said. 

Superintendent Brian Miller told families in a statement that the district is opposed to racism in any form.

"We stand with our black and brown families," Miller said. "It is our goal to strengthen a positive culture for every student at Pine-Richland. It is our goal to strengthen a positive culture for every student at Pine-Richland. The foundation of learning is established in a safe and supportive environment. That environment should embrace diversity in all forms."

The district said it values a school culture that is "safe, supportive and welcoming." It didn't specify what steps it would be taking against the student. 

Lydic is a member of the Pine-Richland Anti-Racism Parent Coalition, which fights for equity among all students. She said for years they've asked the district to make procedural changes in hopes of making Black and brown students feel more comfortable and to deter this type of behavior.

"I think for one we need to hire or bring on a diversity specialist that is well-versed and specializes in these situations because no one in this school district has a clue," Lydic said. 

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