When Clint Mitchell received two emails in early October that he considered racist in nature, the first-year Spotsylvania County Superintendent expressed concern to members of the school board.
Mitchell, a Black man and native of the island of St. Lucia, began his tenure Aug. 1 after nearly two years in the same role at Colonial Beach Public Schools.
“Some people took it seriously. Others didn’t take it seriously,” Mitchell said of the board members’ reactions. “What I shared with them is that it’s not funny.”
Mitchell said he initially did not want to go public with the emails because, as a school official, he can handle negative remarks.
He has far less tolerance for racist messages directed at students.
Mitchell said during Monday night’s school board meeting that concerned parents and students shared text messages that were sent to Black high school students in the county threatening them that they must report to a local plantation to pick cotton.
Mitchell said the message reads: “You’ve been selected as one of our African Americans to pick cotton at the nearest plantation in downtown Fredericksburg. Please plan to arrive at 11 a.m. sharp with everything that you need. Executive slaves will come and get you in a gray van. Once you’re there, please be prepared to get searched by us … You’ve been assigned to plantation group No. 4.”
Spotsylvania County Public Schools sent an email to parents and guardians Tuesday afternoon stating that division officials are aware of the messages and that they are working in conjunction with the sheriff’s office to determine the origin. They also urged students and parents to report any future messages to the sheriff’s office or school administrators.
“We have learned that these messages are being sent nationwide and have now reached our school district,” the email states. “We do not condone these messages. Our school administrators, teachers, and staff are committed to making sure our schools are safe and inclusive places where all students are respected and welcome. Any student who sends these racial messages to other students will be held accountable per the code of conduct.”
The messages began to circulate last Wednesday, prompting Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares to issue a statement.
“The Attorney General’s Office is aware of these text messages and unequivocally condemns them,” Miyares said. “Anyone who believes themselves to be under threat should not hesitate to contact local law enforcement and their local FBI field office by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (or 1-800-225-5324) or visiting FBI.gov/tips.”
Mitchell spoke out forcefully against the texts during Monday’s school board meeting, calling them “a particular level of hate.” He revealed that after the election, he and School Board Chair Lorita Daniels, who is also Black, received a message reminding them of Donald Trump’s “momentous” win and asking them for comment.
“It is not the first time I have received these types of emails since my arrival as superintendent,” Mitchell said during the meeting. “I do not expect it to be the last time. While as an adult, I can manage and deal with rhetoric, our children, our students, don’t deserve that. They deserve better. I want to remind all students if you’re listening and you’re watching that this level of hate and bigotry will not be tolerated in our schools.”
Mitchell said after a school bus aide was arrested on eight charges of aggravated sexual battery of children on a Spotsylvania bus in September, he received emails blaming him for the hiring of the aide, although both started work Aug. 1.
One of the emails, which was dated Oct. 1 at 2:43 p.m. asked Mitchell, ‘Have you considered hiring [imprisoned music producer] P. Diddy since he doesn’t have a job now, perfect time to rebrand by hiring an actual U.S. citizen with no record yet.’”
A second email questioned SCPS’ background check process, telling Mitchell, “You should’ve just hired P. Diddy instead of this monster going after our kids.”
“As a public official, we get these types of messages and we have to forget the humanistic part of it and basically go ahead and accept it,” Mitchell told the Free Press. “But at some point, when do we draw the line and when does it go too far from being a public official to that of a normal citizen? That’s a concern I have.”
Mitchell said he is not deterred from continuing to work in Spotsylvania. He recently wrapped up his first 90 days, having performed listening sessions at various schools throughout the county. He’s also working on safety initiatives and a strategic plan for the next five years.
“I would say this: In my 90 days in the school division, I have met some wonderful students, parents, community members and business partners, and it’s been an amazing place to work,” Mitchell said. “While this is a small sector in our district, it does not represent what Spotsylvania County as a whole is about from the people I’ve met.”
