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Parent urges Augusta County schools to adopt division‑wide zero‑tolerance policy after alleged racial slur
Summary
A Riverheads parent told the school board her son was called a racial slur during a Feb. 16 basketball game and urged a uniform, division-wide policy that would impose automatic consequences when a substantiated report is made. Board members acknowledged the complaint and said staff would look into it.
Nicole Mickens told the Augusta County School Board on Tuesday that her son was called a racial slur during a February 16 Riverheads High School basketball game and that school officials declined to issue discipline because, she said, her son did not react.
Mickens said she reviewed game footage and located the moment in less than 20 minutes, and that her son’s subdued reaction reflected his training to “choose nonviolence.” “To dismiss this incident because it wasn’t loud or physical is to ignore the reality of how harmful our words can be,” she said, and asked the board to implement a consistent, division‑wide zero‑tolerance policy that would trigger automatic ejection and suspension if a slur is substantiated on review.
Why it matters: Mickens framed the incident as part of a pattern she and others report going back decades and said the current approach places the burden on victims and discourages reporting. She argued that without clear, consistent consequences across all schools, the behavior will continue to be tolerated.
In response, board members thanked her for speaking. The board did not announce an immediate policy change at the meeting; staff indicated they would look further into the matter and follow up. The public‑comment exchange came amid several other comments at the meeting about transportation and policy updates.
What happened next: The board continued its agenda, including recognitions and several routine approvals. Mickens’ request puts pressure on the division to clarify how reports of racial harassment are investigated and what remedies and sanctions will follow when a review substantiates misconduct.
Board process note: The remarks were made during the public‑comment portion of the meeting. No formal disciplinary or policy action was taken during the session; Mickens asked the board to adopt a written, division‑wide standard that would apply when incidents are reported and substantiated.
