Smooth sailing at Manatee, Palmetto after protests

With no issues, homecoming and football games at Manatee and Palmetto high schools continued as planned Friday following a few tough days of school.

“I’m proud of the way all our kids responded,” said Don Sauer, Manatee High School principal.

With Manatee drubbing Lutz Steinbrenner 57-7, there was little sign of the issues reported on campus earlier in the week. Students and fans alike sported red and cheered for the team. Floats circled the field at halftime as a new homecoming king and queen were unveiled. Similar scenes played out at Palmetto High.

“The students are enjoying themselves just like they should,” Superintendent Diana Greene said from the Manatee sidelines.

A Confederate flag brought to Manatee High School on Wednesday as part of the school’s homecoming Spirit Week celebration sparked a controversy at Manatee High and then spilled over to Palmetto High School. On Thursday and Friday, some students wore all black, in response to the issues Wednesday and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Although school officials allowed a peaceful protest before school began, a recorded phone call went home to parents and families at both Manatee and Palmetto, warning that disruptions to the school day could result in cancellation of homecoming activities.

In the call, Greene said rumors on social media — all of which were found to be untrue — cause disruptions to the school day because school officials have to track down the rumors to make sure students in the schools are safe. In the call, Greene threatened to cancel football games and other homecoming activities if Friday was not a smoother day.

Greene said the student behavior at both schools on Friday was “perfect.” Although officials did have to chase down a number of rumors circulating on social media at Palmetto, the Palmetto High pep rally went on without a hitch, she said.

The unfounded rumors on social media ultimately turned out to be more of an issue than the protests and issues that happened on campus Thursday, Greene said. Staff at the Manatee High spent a lot of time answering parent phone calls and concerns, providing to be disruptive to the day.

This story was originally published September 30, 2016 at 5:15 PM with the headline "Smooth sailing at Manatee, Palmetto after protests."