Peters Township superintendent apologizes to Woodland Hills over alleged ‘blackface’ incident

PETERS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The Peters Township Superintendent has formally apologized to Woodland Hills school officials after an investigation into band members wearing “blackface.”

According to our partners at TribLive.com, Superintendent Jeannine French wrote a letter to Woodland Hills Superintendent James Harris that the students wore black, full-body spandex suits without intending to harm anyone.

>>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Peters Township investigating allegations that band members wore ‘blackface’ during playoff football game

“Nonetheless, their choice of costumes, in the context of the game, was insensitive,” French wrote according to the Trib. “Our investigation also revealed that there were multiple missed opportunities for adults present at the game to address the costumes prior to the students entering the field.”

In a picture posted to social media, two students, drum majors in the band, marched at the front, and several people perceived their costumes as the modern-day equivalent of “blackface.”

Woodland Hills' assistant coach Chris Edmonds said several players were “discouraged" upon seeing the costumes. Edmonds said he spoke with the band director about the incident and was ready to leave before the decision was made to play the game.

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