By PAT CROSSLEY

pcrossley@sungazette.com

JERSEY SHORE –The Jersey Shore Area School District has issued a statement in repsonse to a video which circulated on social medica at the end of last week depicting a small group sistrict students using what Dr. Ken Dady, assistant district superintendent, called “racist and vulgar comments.”

“There is no place for any sort of racist comments and vulgar comments in the school district or anywhere in the community,” Dady said.

He noted that as soon as the district was made aware of the video, an investigation was started.

“The matter is being investigated and will be addressed according to district policy and procedures,” the district’s statement read.

Due to Monday being a holiday, students were not in school, which, according to Dady delays the investigation because the students involved can’t be questioned or the issue “addressed directly until they return.”

“The intolerable language and actions of these students will be dealt with,” the official statement said. “While this is extremely disheartening, we also recognize this is not a true reflection of our student body.”

Dady also echoed that sentiment.

Noting the various service projects in the district, such as #weSHOREcares, the Care Closets and the recent Kindness Counts, Dady said that he feels that this incident is not “representative of our district or the community.

“It shouldn’t draw away from the things that our students do,” he added.

According to Dady, the administration was told that the video, which allegedly shows a group of about eight students repeating a racist chant, was filmed in what seems to be a district classroom. Dady said that although the administration was told that was the location, it has yet to be verified.

Dady said that as an institution, the district needs to “educate and raise awareness of the importance of being a society that’s being accepting of all. Being understanding, to support one another and not tear each other down.”

“As a district, we will continue to promote compassion for others,” the statement said, again citing the service projects in the district.