HoCo Students Posting Hateful Comments Will Be Reported To Police

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — An increase in racist social media posts by students could lead to suspension from school and a police investigation, county school officials said Friday. Howard County Public Schools System Superintendent Michael J. Martirano updated parents and the community on the increase in the number of "racially charged, hateful and biased activities on the part of our own students since the school closure."

"These activities range from single statements directed to a particular group to highly unacceptable rhetoric in reference to recent events, to racist images and comments being 'bombed' into distance learning sessions by students at one school into another. Even more disheartening is the frequent defense that an action 'was a joke and I meant no harm by it.' These are not joking matters and are never appropriate," Martirano said in a news release.

He noted that, "in my heart of hearts, I know we, as a school community, can do better."

Martirano and board chair Mavis Ellis "noted with dismay the racially-charged social media posts recently surfacing in our own community. I want to re-emphasize how our entire community suffers when anyone in our school family feels their sense of safety and belonging is compromised."

School district leaders said in the statement that HCPSS "will not tolerate this type of behavior" because it violates several board of education policies.

Martirano said school leaders will evaluate every reported incident and intends to impose appropriate consequences. Those could range from suspended digital access to an extended suspension from school.

Furthermore, HCPSS officials will report to the Howard County Police Department any racially-charged social media activity or anything showing hate or bias.

"It pains me to take such drastic measures, but they are necessary because these acts directly threaten the safety and well-being of our students. I encourage any student who is fearful about reporting an incident, to share the experience with a trusted adult, either a family member or educator, who can report the incident for you," Martirano stated.

School leaders also will place an emphasis on staff training to establish healthy interactions with students.

Martirano asked parents and guardians to speak with their children about "being kind to one another, valuing and honoring others, the power of words and appropriate social media use."