Students' Racist Video Is 'Appalling': Superintendent

HAMPSHIRE, IL — District 300 Superintendent Fred Heid says he's disappointed over a video showing D300 students shouting racist slurs that was posted this past week to Twitter, adding that he is saddened "that we have contributed to the feelings of frustration, anger, and resentment felt by so many." The video was made by a group of Hampshire High School students four years ago and has drawn tens of thousands of views since it was posted on Tuesday, according to the Daily Herald.

Heid said the video, which includes current and former students, does not exhibit behavior supported by the district and is "appalling." The video was posted at a time of unrest throughout the Chicago area and nation following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

"But, this is an opportunity to do better, to say more, to do more, and to embrace the issues before us with a focus on real change," Heid said.

Among the children in the video is the son of Elgin Police Department Deputy Chief Colin Fleury. Fleury, in a statement posted on the Elgin Police Department's Facebook page, said he first learned of and watched the video on Tuesday night. He apologized for his son's actions, saying the video made him feel "appalled, sickened and ashamed."

"As a father, I felt as if years of lessons, talks, speeches, and trying to live by showing all of my kids a positive example, had been for nothing," he said. "It tore my family apart thinking of the pain that this video and his actions will cause on such a great scale for so many already hurting people, and for our close friends of color who are so near and dear to our family."

"This is a profound learning moment not only for my son and my family, but for all of us who desire action to address the unacceptable racism in this country," Fleury added. "I want to apologize to the Elgin community and the police department for the pain this may have caused and the impact this incident has had."

Elgin Police Chief Anne Lalley said she has the "utmost confidence" that Fleury, who she has known for 20 years, will continue to be able to serve the Elgin community and that behavior by his son is inconsistent with her long-term observations of him.

"I can attest that during the time that I've worked with him when difficult conversations about race have occurred, he and I have stood shoulder to shoulder, united in our goal of advancing and improving relationships with our community," she said.