High school apologizes after 12 students with disabilities were left out of yearbook

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Gray News) — A school district in North Carolina is apologizing after 12 students with disabilities were left out of a high school yearbook.

The students were left out of the yearbook at Chapel Hill High School.

According to WRAL, a spokesperson for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School system confirmed the mistake, saying the students were inadvertently left out.

In a statement to WRAL, the spokesperson said the issue stemmed from gaps in the school’s checks and procedures, rather than intentional exclusion of students with disabilities.

However, some parents of the students who were left out said the mistake felt like a slap in the face.

Parent Krista Zelt Caraway told WRAL that her son was devastated to be left out.

The district said the affected students will receive a new yearbook updated with their photos. But Caraway said she believes that is not good enough and the yearbooks should be reprinted for everyone.

The district spokesperson said the situation has prompted a review of internal processes at all schools.