ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – News4JAX took a closer look at the events that led to the investigation of a St. Johns County principal accused of “inappropriate conduct.”
Trout Creek Academy Principal Katie O’Connell was put on administrative leave with pay as of May 20.
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According to newly obtained documents from the school district, the investigation began after the Fetty Wap lyric, “Everybody hatin’, we just call them fans though” from the song “Trap Queen,” was printed on the first page of Trout Creek Academy’s 2025-2026 yearbook.
The documents included interviews with the yearbook teacher and editor at the academy and O’Connell, emails from other staff members, and letters to O’Connell regarding the conditions of her leave.
In a letter from a concerned parent to St. Johns County Superintendent Dr. Brennan Asplen, the parent attributed the quote directly to O’Connell, calling it inappropriate and citing it as a defensive response to parental criticism.
Dear Superintendent,
I am writing as a concerned parent regarding a quote included in the K-8 school yearbook by Principal Mrs. O’Connell that stated: “Everybody hating, we just call them fans though.”
While some may view it as humorous, many parents feel this was inappropriate and unprofessional coming from a school leader responsible for setting the tone and example for young adults.
A principal represents leadership, maturity, and professionalism. Referring to criticism or concerned parents as “haters” in a school publication sends the wrong message to children and families. In a K-8 environment especially, many of us expect communication and conduct that reflects respect, accountability and positive leadership.
This may seem minor to some, but it reflects a broader concern about professionalism and the culture being modeled within the school. I hope the district will take parent concerns seriously and address whether this type of messaging is appropriate in official school materials moving forward.
Letter from a concerned parent
In an email from the yearbook teacher, she defended O’Connell, noting that the principal was “not aware that the quote was going to be used.”
To whom it may concern, Please be advised that as yearbook teacher and editor for the Trout Creek Academy Yearbook class, | want it on record that Katherine O’Connell was not aware that quote was going to be used in the 20 25-20 26 school yearbook.
Upon proofreading, a quote was not on the final proof of the book. Miss O’Connell gave us recommendations for the final draft of the book. I can only assume the students noticed there was no quote and added what they thought was best. Ms. O’Connell wasn’t aware that quote was used until the yearbooks arrive yesterday. | can assure you that Ms. O’Connell had no intent whatsoever of causing issues to upset her students and the community.
I will try to locate my notes of what was proofed to show that the quote was not in the yearbook upon her final review and provide them if needed. On behalf of the yearbook students and staff | would like to take this information into consideration as we feel the yearbook turned out very well this year and the students and other staff have been providing positive feedback.
Letter from yearbook teacher
When the yearbook teacher was asked, “Why did [the quote] not make it into the proof that Ms. O’Connell viewed?”
She responded, " The quote may not have been there. When Ms. O’Connell reviewed it with me, she mentioned her quote was not there. | mentioned it to the students who must have then put it in."
She also said she was unaware of the quote being included.
“I did not know anything about the quote,” she said in the interview.
Trout Creek Academy’s assistant principal also defended O’Connell in an email sent on May 20.
The assistant principal said on April 9 (the day before the yearbook’s submission), an administrator was asked to help proofread the yearbook for grammar. While other errors were flagged, she said the quote was not on the first page during proofreading and appeared only after printing, adding that O’Connell’s signature was incorrect.
On April 9th, the day prior to submission, just after lunch, admin was asked to assist with the grammatical proof reading of our yearbook. Errors were found with spelling, with pronouns and incorrect verb tenses. We specifically edited several instances of “Ms. versus Mrs.”
The quote on the first page, which was present after printing, “Everybody hatin, we just call them fans though” was not there during the proofreading done on April 9th. On this quote, it is signed “Mrs. O’Connell”. This is not how Ms. O’Connell signs her name, she always uses, “Ms. O” as is evident in her weekly communications with families and messages/posters around the school. Had the quote been there at the time of admin editing; it would have been corrected.
Email from assistant principal