CLINTONVILLE, WI (WTAQ) – Clintonville’s Superintendent David Dyb says last week’s homecoming drama is a learning opportunity.
Last Thursday, four students were recorded dancing to a dance that is being described as a mockery of Native American rituals.
The video caused a lot of hurt feelings and Dyb told WTAQ’s John Muir Show that some messages that the district came across were disturbing.
“Based on the information that we were receiving, we determined that it was best at that time that we canceled the parade and football game.”
The decision to cancel homecoming was not an easy one, but Dyb told said that it had to be done to ensure student safety.
The Clintonville Police Department confirmed that no credible threat was found, but at that time, the school had to act.
“The emotions were quite high, not everything was thoroughly investigated yet and we had to make a decision at that time.”
The details of the content of the messages have not been released yet.
He says it could have all been avoided if four students made a better decision.
Dyb says the situation dates back to a bad decision that four students made on Thursday.
“The students went and made a situation more difficult by changing their music for an activity that the students were having during lunchtime.”
Dyb says what the video does not show was what happened when the cameras went off.
“Within five minutes they were down in the office and they were being addressed, and disciplinary measures were being worked out with them.”
He says on Friday, the students were given the message by High School Principal Kelly Zeinert that they had to cancel the events to do ensuring that students were safe.
“Putting 1300 students out for afternoon events was quite concerning given the information that we had at that time.”
Dyb says he understands that many feel the student body was punished for something they did not do, but he does not see it that way.
“We were not in a win-win situation by any means. The last thing we wanted to do was to cancel the events.”
He also mentioned that when Zeinert was talking to the student body, he was not there at the time.
Some of her message was captured on video and some have interpreted it that the events were canceled so that the students and staff would not be called racist and it would prevent protests. Dyb says while that is what she said, he says safety is still the reason they canceled the events.
“That was an assembly in front of just the students.
“I can appreciate how the words that she shared with the students are being interpreted that way, I can see that.”
He says he also realizes that the decision impacted more than just the four students and more than the entire student body and staff.
“Hairdressers, florists, restaurants who would have counted on those Friday and Saturday night activities, our heart goes out to them as well.”
Clintonville did forfeit their football game to Fox Valley Lutheran, but they are still trying to find a way to reschedule their dance. Dyb says businesses that would have been involved with the homecoming dance are working with them.
Dyb himself is working with tribal leaders to make sure that the school shows a better understanding, appreciation, and respect for Native American cultures.
“To grasp the gravity of the harm that has been done and how to restore and move forward from this.”
Dyb says he is also working with tribal leaders to make sure that they understand that the actions and one bad decision by four individuals are not a representation of the school district and community.
