NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — The Nassau County School District announced Tuesday that it has completed an investigation into student conduct during a girls’ volleyball match on Thursday between Fernandina Beach High School and Duval County Public Schools’ Andrew Jackson High School.
District officials determined that reports of racial slurs were unsubstantiated, but confirmed that students engaged in inappropriate behavior involving a Black doll brought to the match for a class project.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
According to a district statement, a Fernandina Beach High School student enrolled in a parenting class brought the doll to the gymnasium in a baby carrier as part of a required assignment. During the game, other students removed the doll from its carrier and two students were seen at separate times holding the doll in the air and shouting.
NCSD addressed the visiting school community following the findings.
“We are deeply sorry for the events that occurred in our gym, along with the hurt and distress it caused,” the statement said in part.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
The district said its investigation included reviews of available photographs, video footage, witness interviews and written statements, alongside the official Florida High School Athletic Association match report. NCSD Superintendent Kathy Burns maintained ongoing communication with Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Christopher Bernier throughout the inquiry, NCSD said.
Officials confirmed that the students who violated the NCSD Student Code of Conduct have been identified and are subject to disciplinary procedures. District representatives noted that federal student privacy laws prohibit the public release of specific disciplinary measures taken against individual students.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
In response to the incident, school leaders are reviewing and updating athletic event security, crowd management protocols, and supervisory procedures across the district. Administrators and event staff will also receive revised guidance to ensure potential issues during games are identified and handled promptly.
The district said FBHS plans to conduct student body activities and instruction focused on community standards, leadership skills ,and mutual respect. Additionally, administrators from both schools are coordinating joint programs to bring student-athletes and student leaders from both campuses together.
Read the district’s statement in full below:
“The Nassau County School District has completed its investigation of the student conduct that occurred during the Sept. 10 girls’ volleyball match between Fernandina Beach High School and Andrew Jackson High School.
“We want to begin by speaking directly to the students, coaches, families, and school community of Andrew Jackson High School. We are deeply sorry for the events that occurred in our gym, along with the hurt and distress it caused. Students and guests who enter a Nassau County school should be treated with dignity and respect, which was not demonstrated during this event.
“Immediately upon being notified of these troubling reports, district and school administrators began conducting an investigation that included a review of all available photographs, videos, interviews, and statements from individuals who were present. In addition, we have been in consistent communication with Duval County Public Schools and reviewed the official FHSAA report submitted following the match. Superintendent Dr. Kathy Knight Burns and Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier also remained in communication as the districts worked to fully understand the events.
“The investigation revealed that a student taking a parenting class at Fernandina Beach High School was issued the Black doll as part of a school assignment. The student brought the doll to the game in a baby carrier, as required by the assignment. At several points during the game, other students took the doll out of the carrier. Two students are seen, at separate times, holding the doll in the air and shouting. Fernandina Beach High School and Nassau County School District deem this conduct inappropriate and unacceptable. The review did not substantiate reports that racial slurs were spoken during the match based on the video, statements, and other information reviewed. However, the absence of substantiated racial slurs does not make the other described acts acceptable.
“The district has identified the students whose conduct violated the Nassau County School District Student Code of Conduct, and those matters are being addressed in accordance with district procedures. Federal student privacy laws limit what the district may disclose publicly about individual students or disciplinary actions.
“Accountability, however, cannot end with individual consequences.
Nassau County School District and Fernandina Beach High School are taking additional steps following this incident. Athletic event supervision, security, and crowd management procedures are being reviewed and strengthened to help ensure students, staff, families, visiting teams, and guests experience a safe and welcoming environment at district events. School and district leaders are also reviewing expectations and response procedures for administrators and staff supervising athletic events so concerns can be identified and addressed quickly and appropriately.
“To ensure appropriate conduct at future athletic events hosted by Fernandina Beach High School, in addition to an increase in supervision at all events, our student body will receive instruction and participate in activities which reinforce community standards, build leadership skills, and promote respect for all.
“Fernandina Beach High School and Andrew Jackson High School administrators are working together on opportunities to bring student leaders and student-athletes from both schools together. Our goal is not simply to move beyond what happened, but to learn from it, rebuild trust, and strengthen the relationship between our school communities.
“We extend our sincere apology to the entire Andrew Jackson High School community, particularly the student-athletes, coaches, and families who were affected.
“Every student-athlete, team, family, and guest who comes to a Nassau County School District campus should know they are welcome, respected, and safe. We are committed to doing the work necessary to ensure that expectation is reflected at every Nassau County school and every Nassau County athletic event.”
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.