Investigation finds racial slurs ‘likely’ used in November Lakes-Stanwood football game

An investigation has concluded following multiple allegations of racist language being used both on and off the field during a playoff high school football game between Lakes and Stanwood at Stanwood High School in November.

The Stanwood-Camano School District and an independent investigator found evidence that at least two students likely used racially-offensive language during the game.

“The investigations determined that one student likely used a racial slur in a bathroom, and another likely used offensive language in the stands,” Superintendent Deborah Rumbaugh wrote in a statement.

The outside investigation was conducted by Seattle-area attorney Noel Treat. The district released the findings of the investigation around 5:30 p.m. on Friday. The investigation did not find sufficient evidence that the n-word was used by players during the game. The investigation did find that it was likely a student used offensive language in the student stands.

“The student has been identified to the school principal for appropriate follow-up,” the statement said. “All discipline measures will align with District policy.”

The findings come roughly a month after a parent of a cheerleader from Lakes and multiple people on the Lakes coaching staff said their students were subjected to racist language. In a Facebook post, Claire Dade Johnson said her daughter, a cheerleader for Lakes High School, was called the n-word in the girls bathroom by Stanwood students.

Reached by phone in November, Lakes head football coach Dave Miller said the n-word was directed at his football players during pregame warmups from the student section and by Stanwood football players during the game.

“It was pretty prevalent,” Miller said. “The student section was yelling the n-word at our players. Our coaches heard it throughout the game from their players. It was bad. … I hope it’s not representative of the whole community and it’s just some isolated people that are very ignorant.”

Days after the game, Steve Jensen, the head official from the game, told The News Tribune he and his officiating crew never heard racist language from Stanwood players on the field.

In the statement, the Stanwood-Camano School District said it does not tolerate discrimination, hate and racism in its schools.

“The Stanwood-Camano School District apologizes to the Lakes High School students, staff, parents, and families impacted by these incidents,” the statement said. “Nonetheless, hateful words and actions do not reflect the values of the school district, Stanwood High School, the athletic programs, and the Stanwood-Camano community. Events like this cause pain and harm students, staff, and communities.”