So many people wanted to attend the Nov. 22 school board meeting that the venue had to change from the high school library to the auditoriu. Photo by Ray Miller-Still

So many people wanted to attend the Nov. 22 school board meeting that the venue had to change from the high school library to the auditoriu. Photo by Ray Miller-Still

Racial slur repeated at Enumclaw School Board meeting

It appears two rogue Zoom users briefly interrupted the meeting with a recording of the “n” word.

The Nov. 22 Enumclaw School Board meeting barely got the ball rolling before a racial slur ground the event to a halt.

As Superintendent Shaun Carey — who is Black — was delivering his report to the public, at least two individuals on the Zoom virtual meeting platform began playing a recording of the “n” word on repeat.

“During Dr. Carey’s Superintendent’s Report, one individual on the Zoom unmuted their microphone (displayed a picture of George Floyd) and played a track with the repetitive racial slur. We were able to quickly put the individual in a waiting room,” said district Public Information Officer Jessica McCartney in an email to the Courier-Herald. “As soon as we did so, another individual with their camera on (appearing to be an elderly white male) unmuted himself and played the same track. Knowing it was more than one individual lessens the chance that this was a random ‘Zoombombing’.”

McCartney, who was managing the Zoom platform, quickly closed down the program; the board of directors then took a recess and, when they came back, announced the meeting would continue without the use of Zoom.

“Up until this moment, the district has allowed the same level of participation in both the virtual and in-person options, therefore, the District has not limited or restricted participants on school board meeting Zooms (as we do not do this for participants in-person),” McCartney continued. “In the time that we have provided this virtual participation, this is the first board zoom meeting that we have had of this kind. In addition to involving law enforcement and using the technology and personnel available to us to identify those involved in this horrid situation, we plan to review our practice and implement changes for future meetings.”

McCartney added that the Enumclaw police department is investigating the matter.

“This on-going investigation may require a number of search warrants to capture data to identify the unique addresses of the devices used to disturb the meeting,” EPD Commnader Mike Graddon said in a press release over the Nextdoor social media platform. “This case is being investigated as an intentional hate crime. Additional law violations pertaining to disturbing a school meeting and disorderly conduct are being weighed.”

In response to the incident, Carey did not mince his words.

“Regardless of whether or not this hateful act was random ‘zoombombers’, a ‘prank’, an ‘accident’, or members of our own community, the actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” he said. “We will continue to work hard to make certain that every person feels safe, respected, and valued. This isn’t always easy to do, but it is always the right thing to do.”




Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Northwest

t
Renton city budget targets public safety, cleanliness, social services

Mayor’s proposal will add eight more police officers over next two years

Courtesy Photo, King County Elections
King County Elections emphasizes safety, security in voting process

Office issues news release in response to ballot drop box fires in Vancouver, Portland

A ballot drop box damaged in a suspected arson incident in Vancouver, Washington, on Oct. 28, 2024. Monika Spykerman/The Columbian/Courtesy of Washington State Standard
Arson destroys hundreds of ballots inside a Washington state drop box

State and federal authorities are investigating a deliberately set fire that destroyed… Continue reading

t
Renton man arrested in Seattle DUI collision that killed 20-year-old

State Patrol arrests 30-year-old man for investigation of vehicular homicide in Oct. 27 Seattle incident

Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. FILE PHOTO
Former Renton High teacher pleads guilty to 2022 sexual misconduct charges

Students says: ‘I thought I could trust you to be my teacher and not my predator.’

Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell and Sound Transit staff stand under Structure C in Kent which includes the longest light rail bridge built by Sound Transit. The bridge was completed recently and they are now moving to the next phase that focuses on the rail itself atop the bridge. KEELIN EVERLY-LANG, Sound Publishing
Sound Transit completes longest bridge in light rail work

Trains to be tested in Kent, Federal Way as early as the end of this year.

t
Missing Auburn woman found safe in Mexico

21-year-old reportedly kidnapped in Auburn

Screenshot of cats inside the apartment from the Federal Way Animal Control body cam footage. Courtesy photo
Over 130 cats recovered from Federal Way apartment

See a video that shows the apartment. Some cats were only a few days old and many still need foster parents.

t
Renton rape linked to 14-year-old unsolved Seattle case

‘We are doing everything we can to protect the 12-year-old victim,’ police say

Courtesy photo
70% of WA public school students have access to free meals

In the 2024-2025 school year, 1,523 schools are serving free meals to all students who requested one.

Ring camera footage captured K’Shawn Konscience Jimerson striking Michael Dean Gray with a wooden stick prior to the stabbing, according to an affidavit of probable cause. (Court documents)
Suspect, 19, in Renton handyman stabbing is back in jail after bail increase

Judges increases bail to $500,000 from $50,000; Michael Dean Gray, 65, died Sept. 27.

Kelsey Hall has been growing dahlias since 2018; her farm now sells more than 4,000 flowers a year, and grows up to 200 different varieties. Photo courtesy Kelsey Hall
Local farm’s fame blooms in light of a newly-discovered dahlia

“Daffodahlia” caught the attention of Martha Stewart.