OAK HARBOR — The Stanwood-Camano and Oak Harbor school districts are investigating “hateful words” that may have been used at a Friday football game.
What exactly was said, if anything, was unclear. But Stanwood school representatives said late Monday there was a “physical confrontation of some kind” after the game. Oak Harbor won 19-13 on a late touchdown.
“Our districts do not tolerate hateful speech — and we take such reports seriously,” reads a joint statement from the districts. “As such, both school districts are currently reviewing information and statements from students, staff, and families. This work is ongoing. As per our school policies, WIAA rules, Wesco guidelines, and state law, we will enact disciplinary measures on anyone found in our systems to have instigated a racist activity.”
In a statement, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association said a request for comment from The Daily Herald was the first the organization had heard of any incident at the game.
“If true, the behavior described is thoroughly unacceptable and does not uphold the standards of acceptable behavior at WIAA-sanctioned events,” spokesperson Sean Bessette wrote in an email. “The WIAA website has a page focused specifically on Addressing Discriminatory Behavior, outlining the procedures and processes in place for addressing such unacceptable behavior. This page contains the Discrimination & Harassment Reporting Form which should be completed immediately once derogatory or inappropriate behavior is witnessed at a WIAA-sanctioned event.”
Oak Harbor schools spokesperson Sarah Foy said, “We are currently reviewing any information and statements from students, staff and families in coordination with Stanwood-Camano School District and will determine if there are any appropriate next steps.”
This isn’t the first time this issue has come up in the aftermath of a Stanwood football game. In 2022, two separate investigations that found it was more likely than not that Stanwood students used racist slurs during a game between Stanwood and Lakes High.
Following that incident, Stanwood-Camano School District leaders stressed a commitment to equity.
“Both districts are committed to this work,” the districts said Monday, “because we know that our students, families, and staff deserve to learn and live in communities where intolerance, racism, and inequity are not part of our environment.”
Jordan Hansen: 425-339-3046; jordan.hansen@heraldnet.com; X: @jordyhansen.
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