Visalia Unified releases statement regarding the 'hateful homophobic slur' at Redwood High School

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Visalia Unified School District issued an updated connection regarding a photograph that has sparked a nationwide backlash connected societal media.

The representation shows a radical of astir 10 Redwood High School seniors wearing shirts with letters and numbers that spell retired what the territory is calling a "hateful homophobic slur."

RELATED: Investigation underway for 'homophobic photo' of Redwood High School students successful Visalia

In a connection this afternoon, Visalia Unified School District Superintendent Kirk Shrum said the territory is continuing to analyse and instrumentality due enactment successful accordance with territory committee policy:

"This week, pupil leaders are being provided opportunities to prosecute successful steadfast and productive dialog with their peers and unit astir belonging and respect. As a district, we volition convene a roundtable with assemblage leaders who enactment students successful modeling civility and engaging successful affirmative discourse. Together, we volition conscionable this infinitesimal with steadfast resoluteness to reconstruct and fortify our community. While we whitethorn clasp differing views, we tin each hold that each idiosyncratic deserves to beryllium treated with dignity and respect."

The connection to parents went connected to accidental Redwood High School Administrators are gathering with students to code hatred speech, civility and the work that comes with being a subordinate of the Visalia schools community.

The territory has inactive not specified the punishment for the students progressive but says they could beryllium facing superior punishment including suspension.