OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A media specialist received a written reprimand after an image showing Adolf Hitler giving a Nazi salute aired during the morning announcements at Osceola High School. Leaders have completed the investigation into the incident.
News 6 first reported the story in February after obtaining the video. News 6 has now obtained the discipline letter detailing the investigation’s findings.
The video aired Friday, Jan. 30 during Osceola County High School’s morning announcements. It opened with a photo of Hitler with his arm extended.
“Good morning, Kowboys! Today is Friday, Jan. 30,” an automated female voice stated in the video. Kowboys is the school’s mascot. The image of Hitler remained visible before introducing the “Today in History” segment.
[RELATED: News 6 obtains Hitler video shown during Osceola High School announcements]
“Today in history – 1939 – Adolf Hitler threatened Jews during his speech to the German Reichstag (Parliament),” the voice continued, as matching text appeared on screen.
The video then cut to graphics congratulating the school’s “Student of the Day” and “Teacher of the Week,” followed by announcements about class photos, Literacy Week and Prom.
Footage from the previous morning’s announcements — Jan. 29 — suggested the Hitler content was part of a regular educational segment called “Today in History.” That video opened with a photo of William Shakespeare.
“Today in history – 1595 - William Shakespeare’s play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is thought to have been first performed,” the automated voice said in the Jan. 29 video.
The day the Hitler video aired, Osceola High School Principal Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy posted a letter on the school’s social media pages saying the “inappropriate image” was immediately removed.
“We want to be absolutely clear: this content does not reflect the values, beliefs or ideology of Osceola High School,” Kennedy wrote. “An internal review began right away, and we are addressing this egregious error with the individual responsible. Appropriate actions will be taken in accordance with school and district policies.”
At the time, school district officials cited the ongoing investigation and would not answer questions from News 6 about how the Hitler image was included in the video or whether a student or staff member had created it.
The district has now completed its investigation. According to a discipline letter obtained by News 6, signed by Breanna Wilkerson, Assistant Principal of Osceola High School, a staff member “independently created and published” the video, which was seen by students, staff and the community.
The letter states the image of Hitler was displayed before a written historical explanation, without appropriate context.
The video was removed after concerns were raised, leading to an investigation for “noncompliance with state and district policies governing appropriate instructional content and professional responsibilities,” according to the discipline letter.
Moving forward, the staff member cannot select or publish historical images or content in the morning announcements without administrative review or approval beforehand.
The letter stated that if this “misconduct” happens again, the employee will be recommended for suspension of termination.