Missouri school condemns student petition to bring back slavery

RIVERSIDE, Mo. (CNN Newsource) — Park Hill South District in Missouri 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,” said Dr. Kerrie Herron, the principal of Park Hill South.

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

"It varies from anger, to fear, to frustration, to disbelief,” Deavon 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,” Deavon 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.

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

The district says schools are a safe place for everyone.