http://www.ktbs.com/news/27141392/detail.html

MARSHALL, Tx -- The principal at an East Texas middle school has been reprimanded for comments he made to African American students.

On February 28, Price T. Young Middle School principal David Segers used the school's intercom to call every African American male student to the cafeteria.

The meeting was to discuss student performance on a state standardized test.

Some parents, including Demetria McFarland, say the group was blamed for the school's test scores not being higher.

"They were told that they were the reason that Price T. Young was not passing the TAKS test," said McFarland.

"To me it was knocking down their self esteem. I don't see the motivation behind calling out all African American boys to be singled out."

Segers wouldn't comment on camera, but in a written statement he said his intentions were never to be harmful. He said he was trying to motivate his students and encourage them to do their best on upcoming testing.

He also apologized.

A group of teachers who were at the February 28 meeting came out in support of Segers today.

Beverly Williams was among them. She said the meeting was not meant to degrade anybody, but just the opposite.

"He talked to them as a coach at a half-time at a football game. The team may have been behind, he let them know that they could win if they only believe," said Williams.

Williams said the school is 63 percent African American, so if that group moves forward, so does the school.

Principal Segers received a verbal reprimand from the school superintendent. Today, there was an assembly at school where he apologized to students and staff.