A recent incident at Christian County High School (CCHS) has ignited significant controversy, drawing attention to the school’s disciplinary practices and prompting concerns from parents about the treatment of African-American students.
The situation started when a sophomore student reported that another student had taken her lunch from her backpack.
According to her mother, Malakor Ashley, the student approached the alleged lunch thief calmly, asking why her food was taken.
The confrontation quickly escalated, resulting in the student defending herself physically.
Despite her daughter’s response to aggression, the school issued her an in-school suspension.
Ashley expressed frustration over the disciplinary response and the handling of the situation by school officials, particularly questioning why she was directed to speak with the head coach instead of the principal.
In a Facebook post detailing the incident, Ashley wrote,
“I spoke with the head coach (not even the principal, which is unacceptable), and even he admitted that if someone took his food, he’d be upset too. Yet, I was still given excuse after excuse. Why am I talking to the coach and not the principal about a disciplinary matter? That says a lot about how this school is being run.”
Malakor Ashley
The post has since gone viral within the Hopkinsville community, generating hundreds of reactions and dozens of comments from concerned parents.
Many commenters expressed frustration with what they perceive as systemic failures in the school’s handling of student conflicts.
Jennifer Lewis, another parent, noted that similar situations have occurred with her own children:
This has happened more than once to my child. She is not well liked in this school because we are from up north. She says anything to defend herself and she gets in school suspension immediately. We never talk to the principal only the coach or the ISS teacher. My daughter is a senior and we have been putting up with this since we moved here 15 years ago. You will have to get a lawyer before you go to the school board.
Jennifer Lewis
Several parents highlighted concerns over perceived racial bias in disciplinary actions. Ashley herself stated,
“This system continues to fail African-American students, and I don’t care who disagrees—the bias is obvious.”
Malakor Ashley
While some commenters questioned whether the issue was necessarily a racial one, many acknowledged broader concerns about consistency and fairness in the school’s disciplinary process.
Toxicca Jen asked, “Curious how it became a race issue?” but the discussion focused mainly on the recurring frustration of parents feeling sidelined in administrative decisions.
Other parents emphasized the need to escalate concerns beyond the school. Sarai B Henry Antonio advised,
I would take that straight to the board love. And I would keep calling and leaving messages. Also as someone who has had to fight the school system a lot with my kids… email…. email everything, you WILL want a papper trail that can be documented.
Sarai B Henry Antonio
Similarly, Hall Theo and Benjamin Ambacher reflected general dismay and confusion about how such incidents were being handled, with Ambacher writing,
Thats complete garbage. Sorry that happened to yall……the school needs to do better.
Benjamin Ambacher
Several parents also described long-standing issues with specific teachers and staff members, noting that the head coach frequently serves as the point of contact for disciplinary matters rather than the principal.
Heather Hosley commented,
I have one teacher at that school who has since day one bullied my child. Issuing major after major after major. My child is 2 steps away from alternative and I always have to deal with the coach to. Even when calling to speak to said principal. They don’t care about our kids. Moved my kid from hoptown high to help him and this is what he gets in return.
Heather Hosley
In addition, Thompson Robert added,
Thats been the way its been for years
Thompson Robert
However, not all comments were fully supportive of the student’s actions. Tristan Alan Vance reminded readers of the principle that standing up for oneself can still have consequences:
You child got to fighting. Even though standing up for themselves they were still fighting. Actions have consequences.
Tristan Alan Vance
Others offered prayers and moral support, reflecting the emotionally charged nature of the discussion.
Kimberly McCants wrote, “Praying,” while Emma Latta cautioned about the potential legal and educational consequences of withdrawing a child from the school system, emphasizing that parents need to navigate these situations carefully.
Ashley concluded her Facebook post by announcing that her daughter would not be returning to CCHS and that she planned to contact both the Kentucky Board of Education and state officials in Frankfort to address the incident. She wrote,
“Christian County High School, you will not play in my face or my child’s!”
Malakor Ashley
