Building Cultures of Support and Mutual Respect

October 7th, 2026

The following message was shared by HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes to staff, students, family and community on Oct. 7, 2026:

Over the course of the past week, I have become aware of behavior occurring related to HCPSS extracurricular athletics that is concerning – to say the least. At best, much of this behavior could be characterized as inappropriate and juvenile; at worst, some of it may constitute criminal conduct.

It is important that our community understands what happens when accusations, videos, or images of an inappropriate or illegal nature are brought to our attention. All matters are investigated by HCPSS staff for potential violations of HCPSS policies and expectations, and those involving potential criminal conduct are shared with law enforcement for consideration. There is generally limited public communication about these types of incidents because they often involve minors and ongoing investigations. Even when evidence or allegations may appear clear, HCPSS is obligated to provide appropriate due process and an opportunity for the facts and context to be fully established.

At the same time, incidents like the one recently reported in the news media cause me significant concern about the well-being and decision-making of our student-athletes. I am deeply concerned that social media trends, the desire for attention, and the ability to record and publish content instantly are contributing to a culture in which inappropriate, and sometimes illegal, behavior is being acted out, recorded, shared, celebrated, and treated as entertainment.

It has become clear to me that the adults in our system and community must be much more vocal about our expectations for student behavior while at school and beyond the school day – not just while participating in athletics, but all extracurricular activities. We expect the same conduct in our extracurricular activities that we do in the classroom. If a behavior, action or inaction, or language is inappropriate for the classroom, it is also inappropriate during extracurricular activities.

I expect every HCPSS student to treat one another with kindness, dignity, and respect and to always conduct themselves in a manner appropriate for a school setting. I also expect adults in our schools and community to do their part to ensure student behavior meets these expectations and to intervene or report immediately when they become aware of conduct that does not.

We must encourage our students to embrace sportsmanship, camaraderie, support, and mutual respect, while moving away from behaviors that demean, intimidate, humiliate, or may be experienced by others as harassment. Our students need to hear clearly and consistently from the adults around them that what may seem funny in the moment can have serious consequences – for themselves and for others. We have a responsibility to set those expectations, reinforce them, and help our students make better decisions.

In that light, I am directing every HCPSS high school administrator, Athletics and Activities Manager, and coach to take the following actions:

• Revisit the expectations and procedures provided during the beginning-of-year training regarding appropriate locker room supervision and ensure they are being implemented as expected. These plans are being collected and reviewed centrally.
• Speak directly with student-athletes about what constitutes appropriate behavior and what behavior is unacceptable, prohibited, or potentially illegal.
• Share the processes for reporting acts of bullying and harassment with students.
• Remain diligent throughout the school year to ensure students are protected whenever they participate in school-sponsored activities.

I also urge every parent and guardian of a student-athlete to have a conversation with your child about appropriate behavior and what to do if they experience or witness bullying, harassment, or other inappropriate conduct at school. Incidents of hate-bias, bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation may be reported through HCPSS’s online reporting system or directly to a trusted adult at school.

I am grateful to the students, families, staff, and others who behave in healthy and appropriate ways while in school and participating in school-related activities. But when incidents arise that fail to meet expectations, we take them seriously and ensure they are addressed thoroughly, fairly, and as swiftly as possible.