Florida Principal Suspended Over Fetty Wap Yearbook Quote
A Florida principal remains suspended for a hip-hop quote that appeared under her name in a school yearbook, though evidence suggests students added it after she approved the publication.
Katie O’Connell, who leads Trout Creek Academy in St. Johns County, has been on paid administrative leave since May 20 while district officials investigate allegations of inappropriate conduct, according to New York Post.
The line at the center of the controversy reads “Everybody hatin’, we just call them fans though!” and was attributed to “Mrs. O’Connell” on the opening page of the school’s 2025-26 yearbook. The quote comes from Fetty Wap’s 2015 song “Trap Queen,” which contains explicit references to narcotics trafficking and adult entertainment venues.
Parent Complaint Triggers Investigation
The inquiry began after a parent filed a formal complaint with Superintendent Dr. Brennan Asplen, condemning the quote as unsuitable for the leader of a K-8 institution. The complainant argued that dismissing concerned parents as “haters” in an official school publication undermined professional standards and sent a damaging message to students and families.
Evidence Points to Student Error
Documentation gathered during the investigation indicates O’Connell likely had no knowledge of the quote’s insertion. The yearbook instructor confirmed in writing that the principal reviewed the publication before printing and that the controversial line did not appear in the final proof she examined.
When questioned by investigators, the teacher acknowledged that students may have added the quote after administrative review was complete. Assistant Principal Samantha Sawruk corroborated this account, noting that administrative proofreading conducted on April 9 did not include the disputed quote on that page.
Sawruk also highlighted a telling detail: the quote was credited to “Mrs. O’Connell,” while the principal consistently signs school communications as “Ms. O.”
Principal Denied Opportunity to Correct Error
O’Connell has categorically denied approving the lyric, stating that both she and her assistant principal reviewed the yearbook twice on April 9 without encountering the problematic quote. She expressed frustration that parents escalated their concerns to district leadership, social media, and news media without first contacting her directly.
Despite the exculpatory evidence, district officials placed O’Connell on paid leave and prohibited her from entering school property, as New York Post reports. A separate letter indicated the district is pursuing non-reappointment for the 2026-27 academic year.
This week, the Trout Creek Academy Parent-Teacher Organization announced that retired educator Dr. Patrick Carmichael would serve as interim principal during the ongoing investigation.
With information from New York Post
