The principal of a Colorado high school resigned after a photograph of students, including one in blackface, reenacting the murder of George Floyd in the school parking lot surfaced, USA Today reports.
Rachael Ayers, principal of Mead High School in Longmont, Colorado–a town where Blacks comprise less than 1% of its population–resigned Monday, said a letter sent to homes by district superintendent Don Haddad. Haddad thanked Ayers for her twelve years as a teacher, assistant principal and principal at Mead.
Haddad said he intends “to discuss advancing student success and achievement with a focus on a safe and inclusive school environment and culture for every student, teacher, staff, and community member.”
The photo, available here, shows a student in blackface lying on the parking lot pavement while another student kneels on his back. A third student appears to try to pull back the lying student’s arm. The caption on the photo is, “Bye Bye senoirs [sic].”
George Floyd was murdered by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who kneeled on Floyd’s back and neck for more than nine minutes. Chauvin was found guilty of two counts of murder and one count of manslaughter.
The students in the photo were reportedly disciplined, but the school district is keeping the identity of the boys involved private.