Ponca City superintendent responds to noose incident

The Ponca City Public School district was notified today of an incident that occurred at the 7th and 8th grade football game at Enid Public Schools on Tuesday, Sept. 26.

Ponca City students reported a disturbing sight in the visitors’ locker room. Enid school officials reported they found a chair and a USB cord with a 2-inch noose hanging in the visitors’ football locker room.

Ponca City Public School superintendent Shelley Arrott said, “I was informed of this incident this morning and have been in contact with Enid administration continually throughout the day. Both schools’ athletic departments have been cooperating on this issue as well. Neither school district condones this insensitive and unacceptable behavior. The Enid Public School district is investigating the incident, and we are continuing to perform our own investigation into this serious matter.”

Both schools sent out a joint statement (below) to the parents of all middle school students:

“Enid Public Schools and Ponca City Public Schools have a close working relationship and are coordinating together, with their administration and athletic departments, to investigate and address an issue. Ponca City parents notified both districts of this concern Wednesday morning, following Tuesday night’s games. Upon immediately checking the locker room, Enid school officials found a chair and a USB cord with a 2-inch noose hanging in the visitors’ locker room. Neither school district condones this behavior, which is insensitive and unacceptable. The person responsible, when found, will be held accountable for his or her actions. Additionally, we will continue to educate our students about tolerance and respect for others, in all situations.”

Shelley Arrott, Ponca City Public Schools Superintendent

Dr. Darrell Floyd, Enid Public Schools Superintendent