COLERAIN TWP., Ohio – A greater Cincinnati school district is calling the actions of a handful of its high school students earlier this month “inappropriate and racist” after the students “briefly” posted culturally insensitive signs over school water fountains.

The Northwest Local School District posted a message on its website alerting district students, families and the community members of the incident that took place May 5 at Colerain High School. 

“Upon investigation of the matter, we have learned that the notes posted over the water fountains were posted for a matter of 30 seconds before being removed by the students. The students involved in the incident posted the signs, took photos and removed the notes before posting the photos online,” the message reads in part.

District administrators said the students who participated in “this tasteless and hurtful act have been issued significant disciplinary actions.” 

Colerain High School administration sent a note to the school's parents and families the day of the incident. At that time, the investigation identified two students involved in creating and posting the signs.

“Any student, including those who are found to have taken part in sharing the post online, will also be subject to disciplinary action,” that letter reads.

The school district posted the public-facing statement May 16 following a report by Fox 19.

“These water fountains were labeled ‘blacks only,’ ‘whites only,’ which pushed us back so many generations,” a parent, who preferred to remain anonymous, told the Cincinnati-based news outlet. “My heart dropped. My heart dropped. I could not believe it. It was so offensive.”

Spectrum News has not been able to confirm the specific content of the signage. Representatives from neither Colerain High School nor the district were available to comment further on the matter.

In its statement, NWLSD leadership wrote that they "(stand) firm in creating a culture of inclusivity, respect, kindness and compassion for everyone.” They called it their “responsibility to uphold these values and we will not tolerate any action from anyone that compromises or disrupts that culture.”

The school district's statement aimed to make sure its "staff, students, families and community understood where the administration stands on racial intolerance, discrimination, racism and hatred."

“This type of behavior is not and will not be condoned or tolerated,” the statement reads. 

The Northwest Local School District is located in Hamilton County, approximately 12 miles from downtown Cincinnati. It serves about 9,000 students from Colerain, Green, Ross and Springfield townships.

Below is the full letter from the Northwest Local School District to students, families and the community May 16:

On May 5, 2022 our Northwest Local School District (NWLSD) Administration was made aware of an inappropriate and racist message that was displayed over Colerain High School’s (CHS) water fountains at the end of the school day. Upon being notified, District and school officials immediately began investigating. School officials also notified CHS parents by letter that day which condemned the behavior that was displayed. (Linked) CHS Statement 5/5/2022

Upon investigation of the matter, we have learned that the notes posted over the water fountains were posted for a matter of 30 seconds before being removed by the students. The students involved in the incident posted the signs, took photos and removed the notes before posting the photos online. Those who participated in this tasteless and hurtful act have been issued significant disciplinary actions.

Information regarding this incident was shared on the news today. We want to make sure our staff, students, families and community understands where we stand on racial intolerance, discrimination, racism and hatred. We take this matter very seriously. This type of behavior is not and will not be condoned or tolerated. The actions that were displayed do NOT reflect the values and the culture we’ve worked so hard to cultivate in all of our schools across the district. NWLSD stands firm in creating a culture of inclusivity, respect, kindness and compassion for everyone. As a school community it’s our responsibility to uphold these values and we will not tolerate any action from anyone that compromises or disrupts that culture. 

 As a District we remain committed to teaching love, inclusivity and compassion.