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RIVERSIDE, Mo.—Park Hill South is taking action to condemn a petition that students circulated calling to bring back slavery. The reaction from district leaders was swift after a group of Park Hill South students posted unacceptable, racists comments online.

"It doesn't matter their intent, the impact is real. The impact is being felt, the hurt is real and there," Park Hill South Principal Kerrie Herron said.

District leaders have heard from dozens of parents since the incident Friday. The Park Hill School District Director of Access and Inclusion Terri Deayon was shocked by the behavior of the district students.

“Anger, to fear, to frustration, to disbelief,” Deayon said.

The district is 67% white. Park Hill staff get diversity training, current students do not.

“We don't have anything formal, as far as like a standardized cultural sensitivity training or anything like that. Those are definitely things that I would love to see in the future,” Deayon said.

The district plans to hold a listening tour in response to the incident. One silver lining, Park Hill South students were first to call out the racist comments.

“Students brought it to our attention right away. The reporting culture at Park Hill South is working,” Herron said.

Deayon says they believe the petition is a difficult reminder of the struggle for progress.

"This incident just further confirms that necessity, the need for the work and that we are headed in the right direction,” Deayon said.

The district says schools are a safe place for everyone.

Park Hill says it can't comment on specific disciplinary actions, but the district policy prohibits discrimination and harassment. Violators can be suspended or expelled as a result of breaking the district's code of conduct.

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