Nassau Schools: Black Doll Display ‘Unacceptable,’ Racial Slurs Not Substantiated

FERNANDINA BEACH - The Nassau County School District apologized Tuesday to Andrew Jackson High School students and families after completing its investigation into conduct at a Sept. 10 volleyball match, finding that Fernandina Beach High School students improperly displayed a Black baby doll but that investigators could not substantiate reports that racial slurs were used.

The district said it identified students whose conduct violated the Nassau County School District Student Code of Conduct and that those cases are being addressed under district procedures. The district did not identify the students or disclose what consequences they face, citing federal student privacy laws.

“We are deeply sorry for the events that occurred in our gym, along with the hurt and distress it caused,” the district said in its statement. “Students and guests who enter a Nassau County school should be treated with dignity and respect, which was not demonstrated during this event.”

The district's findings come four days after Andrew Jackson parent Antoinette Beckton publicly called attention to the incident. Beckton's daughter plays on Andrew Jackson's varsity volleyball team, and Beckton was at the game.

Beckton described the conduct as racial intimidation and said Fernandina Beach students displayed the doll as an Andrew Jackson player appeared to be injured.

“One of our players fell, and she was injured. She appeared to be injured. They began to stand up with a black doll, and they were saying, ‘Oh, she’s dead. It’s just another one. She’ll be okay,’” Beckton told Action News Jax.

Beckton initially described the episode on Facebook and demanded that school officials investigate. Her account said several Fernandina Beach students held up a Black baby doll while making racial slurs, chants and gestures directed toward Andrew Jackson players.

“Our girls showed up to represent Andrew Jackson High School, play volleyball, and compete,” Beckton wrote. “They should have been able to leave that gym talking about serves, kills, blocks, and the final score—not racial slurs and a Black doll being used to mock and degrade them.”

The district's completed investigation confirmed some elements of the allegations but said it could not substantiate others.

According to the district, the Black baby doll originated with a Fernandina Beach High School student taking a parenting class. The student had been issued the doll as part of a school assignment and brought it to the volleyball game in a baby carrier, as required by the assignment.

During the game, however, other students removed the doll from the carrier.

“Two students are seen, at separate times, holding the doll in the air and shouting,” the district said.

Fernandina Beach High School and the school district determined that conduct was “inappropriate and unacceptable.”

The district said its investigation included a review of available photographs and videos as well as interviews and statements from people who were present. Officials also communicated with Duval County Public Schools and reviewed the official Florida High School Athletic Association report submitted after the match.

Nassau Superintendent Kathy Knight Burns and Duval Superintendent Christopher Bernier also communicated as the districts worked to determine what happened.

On the allegation of racial slurs, however, Nassau Schools said investigators could not verify the reports.

“The review did not substantiate reports that racial slurs were spoken during the match based on the video, statements, and other information reviewed,” the district said.

The district added an important qualification: “However, the absence of substantiated racial slurs does not make the other described acts acceptable.”

That finding differs from Beckton's account of the incident. Beckton and other Andrew Jackson supporters alleged racial slurs were used, but the district's statement does not say those allegations were false. It says investigators were unable to substantiate them based on the evidence they reviewed.

Beckton also criticized the adults who were present during the game, saying she was disturbed by what she described as a lack of immediate intervention by faculty, staff and other adults.

The district's response Tuesday appears to address that concern as well.

Nassau Schools said it is reviewing and strengthening athletic-event supervision, security and crowd-management procedures. The district is also reviewing expectations and response procedures for administrators and staff supervising sporting events so inappropriate conduct can be identified and addressed more quickly.

“Accountability, however, cannot end with individual consequences,” the district said.

Fernandina Beach High School students will receive instruction and participate in activities designed to reinforce community standards, develop leadership skills and promote respect, according to the district. Supervision will also be increased at athletic events.

Fernandina Beach and Andrew Jackson administrators are working on opportunities to bring student leaders and student-athletes from the two schools together.

“Our goal is not simply to move beyond what happened, but to learn from it, rebuild trust, and strengthen the relationship between our school communities,” the district said.

The incident has drawn attention beyond the two schools. The Jacksonville Branch of the NAACP previously condemned the reported behavior and called for an immediate and transparent investigation and accountability for anyone found responsible.

The district ended Tuesday's statement with another apology.

“We extend our sincere apology to the entire Andrew Jackson High School community, particularly the student-athletes, coaches, and families who were affected,” the district said. “Every student-athlete, team, family, and guest who comes to a Nassau County School District campus should know they are welcome, respected, and safe.”