A shocking incident occurred during a high school graduation ceremony at Baraboo High School in Wisconsin, when a white dad rushed the stage and physically pushed the Black superintendent, Rainey Briggs, out of the way so he couldn’t shake his daughter’s hand. The man was heard yelling, “I don’t want her touching him,” adding to the disturbing nature of the situation. The incident was captured on graduation footage, with the man forcibly removing Briggs from his daughter’s path as she approached him to shake his hand. This incident comes just three years after the same school gained national attention for a photo depicting several students performing the Nazi salute.
The Baraboo School District has referred a disorderly conduct charge for the man to the Sauk County District Attorney’s Office in response to the incident at the graduation ceremony. School district spokesperson Hailey Wagner emphasized that the safety and well-being of the students, staff, and community members is a top priority. This incident is not the first controversial event to happen at Baraboo High School, as in 2018, a photo emerged showing a group of students performing the Nazi salute ahead of their junior prom. The district’s superintendent at the time, Lori Mueller, stated that the photo was not reflective of the educational values and beliefs of the school district.
Mueller clarified that the school district was not able to punish the students involved in the photo due to their right to free speech. She mentioned that the district would pursue appropriate actions to address the situation. The atmosphere at Baraboo High School has been tense recently, with rising tensions between the district and parents over issues such as superintendent pay and management of district resources. Some parents have attempted to recall School Board President Kevin Vodak due to their concerns. The school district has faced ongoing challenges and controversies that have sparked community outrage and calls for accountability.
The shocking incident at the graduation ceremony adds to a series of controversial events that have taken place at Baraboo High School in recent years. The district has faced criticism and backlash over issues such as the 2018 photo depicting students performing the Nazi salute, as well as ongoing tensions between the district and parents regarding superintendent pay and management of resources. The Baraboo School District has taken steps to address these concerns, including referring a disorderly conduct charge for the man involved in the graduation incident to the district attorney’s office.
The incident involving the white dad pushing the Black superintendent at the graduation ceremony has sparked outrage and concern within the community and beyond. The incident occurred at a time when tensions were already high between the district and parents over various issues, adding to the ongoing challenges faced by the Baraboo School District. The district has reiterated its commitment to the safety and well-being of all students, staff, and community members, and continues to address the fallout from this troubling incident as well as other controversies that have plagued the school in recent years.
