A Facebook post showing Halloween costumes by staff at Northern Humboldt Union High School District sparked outrage after it seemingly mocking a student in the district. Close up of photos Screengrab of a Facebook post by a NHUHSD District Office Employee.
On October 31, a private Facebook post made by Tammy Pires, the superintendent’s secretary showed the staff of the district office and Superintendent Roger MacDonald wearing M&M costumes. Along with the post was a caption which at first read,
“We’re just ‘sitting here at the cinema eating our m&m’s.’ My co-workers are so awesome!!”
That was later edited to, “My co-workers are so awesome!!”
To the people involved, the caption may have seemed innocuous, but others found it problematic.
At the last district board meeting senior, Zoey Clark addressed the board of her concerns about the teacher contract negotiations.
As she spoke, she looked up to see the superintendent and his secretary eating M&M’s and said, “I see you guys up here, no offense, eating M&M’s like it’s some kind of cinema show watching teachers beg for the money they deserve. I mean no disrespect in that but I do find it rude.”
The costumes and the caption were connected with Clark’s statement by several people and tensions in the district (which has only recently concluded contract negotiations) flared up.
Source: Halloween Costumes and a Facebook Post Upset NHUHSD Community – Redheaded Blackbelt