YULEE, Fla. — Courtney Hyers has a biracial son who goes to Yulee Middle School. First Coast News is not revealing his identity for his privacy.
For months now, the 13-year-old student has been in fear for his life. Monday, his mom told First Coast News he’s being pulled out of school and for homeschooling.
“My son threatened to take his own life because of it and that’s where I draw the line. That’s where something needs to be done,” said Hyers.
“It just lowered my self-confidence,” said the student.
“His grades are failing and I have tried to have the school behind me,” said Hyers.
In October, she says she saw her trash bins knocked over.
“We look outside and it is scattered all over the grass and on the road. People had to remove the stuff on the road to get through,” said Hyers.
And right at the end of her driveway, “KKK” and what look like Nazi and white supremacy symbols were scribbled onto the lid of her cooler.
“It scares me for my children. It’s 2019 and for this stuff to still occur… it’s sad,” Hyers said.
In October, Hyers filed an incident report with Nassau County Sheriff’s Office that a 6th grader in a golf cart drove past her house and yelled out racial slurs.
On Friday, Hyers filed an information report with the sheriff’s office about another incident on the school bus. She told the deputy her son was harassed by another student.
“He looked at me and said that’s what I thought cause I’m going to burn you like the n-word you are,” the student said.
Her son has been disciplined on four different occasions since April. Once for bringing a beer on the school bus. Two other times he was suspended from school for fighting, “due to a racist remark,” according to Hyers.
Hyers said he was defending himself. “He said he was going to call the KKK on me,” said the student.
“The worst feeling in the world is having these thoughts and you’re doing everything you can do when he leaves this yard I have to fully trust and know he is going to be safe,” said Hyers.
Nassau County Public Schools cannot comment on any student record, but Spokesperson Ray Poole told First Coast News Nassau County Schools does not tolerate harassment or discrimination. He referred me to their website – where parents could find a link for a Bullying and Harassment Report.
Yulee Middle School also has an anonymous tip line – where students can speak with someone about crime, bullying, suicide prevention, and drugs. The tipline is 904-335-8315.
If your child is being harassed or bullied, you can report it with the school district. More information is on their website: https://www.nassau.k12.fl.us/Page/2094.
You can also call the suicide prevention hotline: 1-800-273-8255.