Elgin Area Unit District 46 Supt. Suzanne Johnson responded late Wednesday to a public outcry about a controversial photo in the Bartlett High School yearbook, saying a message included in the picture did not reflect “the values and beliefs of Bartlett High School and School District U-46.”
She said the district would resume distribution of the yearbooks, which were delayed over a photo the school’s interim principal described in an email to parents as “offensive” and “antisemitic.” However, Johnson did not specify whether the photo had been removed or when the yearbooks would be available.
Though the district has not publicly identified the photo, members of the school’s Muslim Student Association posted the photo they believe to be the point of contention on social media. In the photograph, a group of students hold a Palestinian flag and two signs. One of the signs reads “In our hundreds, in our millions, we are all Palestinian,” and the other reads “from the river to the sea.”
“We regret to inform you that an offensive photo was included in this year’s school yearbook,” Melanie Meidel, the interim principal, wrote in Friday’s email. “One of our top priorities is the well-being and respect of our students, staff and community. Regrettably, we have become aware that the yearbook was printed with a photo containing text that is considered antisemitic.”
The school immediately halted distribution of the yearbook once it became aware of the photo, Meidel wrote. She said the page with the photo would be removed, but it was unclear from Johnson’s statement if that was still the plan. Johnson did say students could request a refund for their yearbook.
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