LOUISIANA--Controversy erupted at a Slidell junior high school late last week when at least one parent observed drawings and altered pictures depicting malicious images of President Barack Obama, including one photo in which a bullet hole was portrayed on his head. The work is believed to be part of a class project done by students at Boyet Junior High, and several similar pieces were posted on walls at the school.
At least five images were posted, including a drawing of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck standing next to a tree with a sign that read, "Obama Season," underneath a likeness of the president. Also in the depiction was an image of what appeared to be presidential candidate Mitt Romney smiling.
Superintendent Trey Folse would not speak publicly about the matter but released a statement Tuesday through the school system's public information department.
"The St. Tammany Parish public school system takes matters such as this very seriously," Folse said. "The school system became aware of this situation Friday afternoon and immediately started an investigation into this matter. The investigation will include interviews with students, parents, teachers and administrators.
"The appropriate disciplinary action will be taken as soon as all of the facts are in and legal requirements have been met."
James "Gus" Davis, president of the Covington branch of the NAACP, said that he and Karen Stampley, the mother of a Boyet student who brought the pictures to the attention of Principal Mitchell Stubbs, "had a pretty good meeting" with Folse and School Board member Ray Alfred on Tuesday morning. Davis said that he would "wait to see what happens with the investigation" and give the school system a chance to take action before proceeding further.
"We're pleased with what (Folse) told us and the way they're moving," Davis said. "He turned over the (material) to the right authorities. ... You're innocent until proven guilty; there are two sides."
He said it is his understanding that Folse will meet with the parties involved today or Thursday and then decide how the school system will handle the situation.
Davis did not directly say a teacher assigned the project or posted the drawings and pictures, but did say, "If you are a professional teacher, if you have a problem with a political figure or anybody, it's not supposed to go with your job.
"You're supposed to be a professional, and you are a teacher. We're putting our kids in your hands for six or seven hours per day. Not only black kids, but white kids, too, are going to look up at that wall. That doesn't say too much about the people we put there to take care of our kids. It really is (scary) to see that. ...
"This just puts hate right into the children. Why would they draw that if it weren't coming from someone else? ... It was there for a few days, and no one brought it up."
Stampley, who learned about the drawings and pictures from her child, said she didn't want to elaborate because she "promised" the school system she wouldn't go into details until the investigation is completed.
"I would like to talk, trust me, but I want this matter resolved," she said. "... You can imagine how I feel being a parent; I am outraged. I am glad they pulled them down once I brought it to their attention, but they were up there too long."
Posted By: Siebra Muhammad
Saturday, February 11th 2012 at 4:28PM
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