Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
An investigation found that students at a North Carolina school pretended to “sell” Black classmates at a mock “slave auction” recently, but no adults were involved, school system officials said.
Chatham County Schools officials said in a statement Monday that the code of conduct is being revised to ensure incidents like this are handled swiftly and with severe consequences from now on, news outlets reported.
“We reiterate that our goal is for all students to feel safe and welcome in their school. Chatham County Schools expects our students and staff to be respectful, mindful of others and engage in appropriate behavior,” the district said.
Last week, a coalition of local groups called on the school board to address the situation at the J.S. Waters School in Goldston and require the instigators to apologize. Some parents complained that several students involved were given just a one-day suspension. The K-8 school about 50 miles southwest of Raleigh has 195 students, and 68% are white.
Superintendent Anthony Jackson apologized, and the school board adopted some policy changes. The district is adding training for administrators, staff and teachers as well as focus groups and “restorative circles” within schools to give students, staff and families opportunities to engage in meaningful dialogue.
Photo via Chatham County Schools.
Related Stories
‹

NC Superintendent Apologizes After Mock Slave AuctionWritten by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A North Carolina schools superintendent has apologized for a mock “slave auction” in which white middle-schoolers pretended to sell their Black classmates. “Actions such as these, they just do not reflect who we are as a school system,” Chatham County Schools Superintendent Anthony Jackson said after parents raised an outcry. […]
![]()
Chatham County Roundup: County Commissioner Karen HowardChatham County Commissioner Karen Howard joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, August 6.

Chatham County Commissioner Shares Latest on Bynum Contamination, Wolfspeed DevelopmentChair of the Chatham County Commissioners Karen Howard spoke with 97.9 The Hill about major stories happening in Siler City and Bynum.

George Moses Horton Middle School Students Rank 4th in Capitol Hill ChallengeGeorge Moses Horton Middle School in Pittsboro ranked first among middle schools nationwide and fourth overall in the 2023 Capitol Hill Challenge, a national financial education program. Each of the top 10 schools will attend a reception in the U.S. Capitol on June 14 and have the opportunity to meet their members of Congress. As […]

5 Juveniles Charged With Making Threat of Violence at Chatham Middle SchoolFive juveniles have been charged after threatening messages against Chatham Middle School in Siler City circulated on social media earlier in May. Authorities investigating the threat — which said it would carry out violence against students and teachers on May 15 — now believe it was a prank the juveniles never intended to carry out. […]
![]()
Speaking of Schools: Cindy King and Carrie Little of Chatham County SchoolsAs pre-K programs are enrolling for Chatham County Schools, Pre-K Instructional Facilitator Cindy King and Executive Director of Federal Programs Carrie Little join 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell to talk about early childhood education.
![]()
Chatham County Roundup: Randy Voller of the Chatham County LinePublisher and editor of the Chatham County Line Randy Voller joins 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, March 15, for this week's Chatham County Roundup! Voller discusses a recent controversy around the local school district, as well as a recent positive event he attended. Plus: the Board of County Commissioners primary and general election cycle appears to be a busy one and longstanding challenges of growth are likely to be among key issues.
![]()
Chatham County Roundup: County Commissioner Karen HowardChair of the Chatham County Commissioners Karen Howard joins 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, February 15. She shares thoughts on the board's recent appointment of Robert Logan to the board's District 4 seat, as well as details on the county's latest mask distribution efforts. Plus: Chatham County Schools passes an update to masking indoors and the county shares revaluation statistics.
![]()
Chatham County Roundup: Hannah McClellan of the Chatham News + RecordChatham News + Record reporter Hannah McClellan joins 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell for the Chatham County Roundup on Tuesday, December 28. She details updates from the Chatham County Schools district, including early reactions to the omicron variant's spread, a new enrollment report and teacher pay changes.

Fire Destroys Mobile Learning Units at North Chatham ElementaryAn overnight fire left several mobile units at North Chatham Elementary School burned to the ground on Sunday. A release from the Chatham County Schools district alerted the community of the fire, saying no one was injured. The fire destroyed five mobile units on the school grounds, but the elementary school’s leadership is working to […]
›
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines