Issaquah High students investigated for racist dance invite

Issaquah School District says two students could face expulsion after a photo appeared on social media of them holding a racist sign as part of a dance invitation.

The photo shows two students, both white, holding a sign that reads: "If I was black I'd be picking cotton, but instead I pick you. Tolo?"

Tolo is a dance where traditionally girls invite boys.

L. Michelle, executive director of communications at Issaquah School District called it "a really discouraging, very disheartening, very troubling situation."

She said the students and their families are being questioned by school officials.

The district has been getting emails from the community since the photo was posted.

"There is a lot of anger and there's a lot of 'What is going to be done?'" Michelle said, "'What is the discipline to happen?'"

It's too early to say what kind of discipline the students could face, but Michelle said it could range from part-time suspension up to expulsion.

She said the district also wants to reach out to families of color to discuss the photo.

This incident comes after a string of racist and hateful acts on Seattle's Eastside.

Earlier this month a photo appeared online of two Mercer Island teens making the Nazi salute and in February graffiti containing a racial epithet was found on cars and homes in Sammamish.