County officials criticize school district over Blue Lives Matter incident response
2 LittleMiami football players reactivated after school investigation.
Two Warren County officials joined those criticizing what turned out to be the brief suspension of two Little Miami football playerswho took the field last Friday night— Sept. 11— with flags supporting the Blue LivesMatter movement after being told not to by school officials.
On Tuesday, the Little Miami Schools ended one-practice suspensions for players Brady Williams and Jarad Bentley for carrying a “Thin Blue Line” flag and a “Thin Red Line” flag onto the field. School officials pushed back at detractors in their message to parents.
“Little Miami Local Schools is saddened to see this story take such a negative turn. The district enjoys an outstanding relationship with our local police and fire agencies.”
“In fact, the Patriot Night programFriday night featureda script recognizing first responders, information aboutwhat happened on 9/11, a poem celebrating those who sacrificed their lives and a remembrance ceremony with a moment of silence. We regret that such a moment of solemnity was somehow lost in this event.
“As the season continues, the only two flags that will come through the Little Miami football tunnel are the flag of the United States of America and the LittleMiami spirit flag. The Board of Education supports this decision of district administration,” said the message to parents from Bobbie Grice, president of the Little Miami Local Schools Board of Education.
EarlierTuesday, WarrenCounty
Commissioner Dave Young said he didn’t like what he was hearing about the district’s response to the incident.
“People need to be held accountable,” Young said during the commission’s meeting Tuesday. “I’m actually embarrassed.”
Young’s comments followed a Facebook postMondaybyWarrenCountyProsecutorDavid Fornshell in support ofWilliams andBentley.
“I support the heroes of 9/11. I supportmy fellowlaw enforcement professionals. I support our firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, andother first responders. I support Brady & Jarad,” Fornshell’s post reads.
The district also defended the suspensions in a statement issuedMonday to Cincinnati media.
“While we understand these students’ desire (to) show their support of first responders, they did not obtain permission fromdistrict officials. Administratorsmust actwhen students break the rules,” the district said.
Anonline petition to “reinstate Brady and Jarad” was supported by more than 18,000 viewers as of Tuesday morning.
Thiswasbefore the district note to parents on Tuesday explainingwhat the district had done before ending the suspension:
“While the district understands these students’ desire (to) showtheir support ofour first responders especially on the anniversary of 9/11, they did not obtain permission fromdistrict officials to do this. School administratorsmust actwhen students break the rules, and these students were suspended frompracticewhile the incident was investigated.
“With theBoard’s support, the superintendent and high school administrators have completed the investigation. The results show that there werenopolitical motivations behind this display of support for first responders on 9/11, but therewere instances of insubordination.
“Moving forward, Little Miami is returning the players to active status and this matter will be addressed as anAthleticDepartmentCode of Conduct issue, with any potential consequences tobe handled by coaching staff.”
“The Board of Education supports this decision of district administration,” concluded the message from Bobbie Grice, president of the Little Miami Local Schools Board of Education.