Officials: Lehigh students disobeyed orders to remove vulgar video from social media

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Lehigh Senior High School

FORT MYERS, Fla. – After school officials were notified of a video showing Lehigh Senior High School basketball players rapping explicit lyrics, Principal Jackie Corey ordered the students to remove the video from Facebook.

They did, then posted it to YouTube, where it received 8,000 views, Lee County School Board Chairman Steven Teuber said Wednesday night.

Teuber shared new details regarding the disciplinary actions behind the video, which resulted in nine basketball players receiving a five-day school suspension, the suspension of head coach Dawn McNew and her two paid assistants, and all being banned from participating in postseason play.

Despite the suspensions, and with junior varsity players, Lehigh beat Estero High School 61-53 Wednesday night to advance to Friday night’s district final.

Teuber, who spoke exclusively with WINK News, explained the incidents that led to the suspensions:

  • The players were supposed to be in the stands supporting the junior varsity team, who were playing at the time the video was shot.
  • The video was made while at a sporting event, which according to the state High School Athletic Association, is reason for suspension from athletic activities.
  • An assistant coach who was supposed to be in the locker room while students are present was not there.
  • Some of the players were wearing their jerseys in the video.
  • The district was hesitant to suspend McNew because females cannot be in the locker room while male players are changing and showering, but did so because it is her team.

Parents of the suspended players voiced their concerns to district officials Wednesday morning, hoping to have the decision overturned. They, along with attorneys from both sides, will meet with Superintendent Dr. Greg Adkins and other district officials on Thursday, Teuber said.

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