Derby Public Schools police investigate racist text messages sent to students

DERBY, Kan. (KWCH) – Derby Police and Derby Public Schools are investigating a racist text message sent to some students.

The district said the inappropriate messages were circulating nationally and Derby High School was notified of the situation Wednesday evening.

“Targeted hateful and racist messages have no place in our community and certainly not in our schools,” the district said. “Derby Public Schools does not tolerate harassment, discrimination or racism.”

The district said the messages were immediately reported to the School Resource Officer, who identified and met with the person who sent the messages to local students.

Derby Police Chief Brandon Russell confirmed that officers investigated the incident Thursday morning and spoke with several people. He said because juveniles are involved, there wasn’t much more the department could say other than no one wanted to file charges in the case.

12 News spoke with a Derby mother who said her child received a text message saying they had been “selected to be a slave at Derby High School.”

The parent said a student sent the message to other students who are black, Hispanic or biracial.

The district did not specify whether the sender was a student, but said student affairs are confidential and the matter is being addressed.

“The safety and well-being of our students and families is our top priority,” the district said. “If threats, bullying or intimidation occur, they must be reported; the district or appropriate responding agencies are promptly investigating all reported situations.”

The district said families, students and community members should report these types of incidents to school administrators or law enforcement.

The district said the messages “not only violate our district’s core values, but may also constitute criminal harassment.”

Any student who receives the message is asked to notify school administrators and school staff or report tips anonymously using various reporting methods, including Crimestoppers’ P3 app. More information HERE.