While racial tension at DeKalb High School has been a hot conversation topic, DHS students find the school’s cleanliness is the real issue.

Last fall, a survey conducted by the Stearnes Group showed students felt the need for more respect for certain groups, including racial and sexual orientation groups.

DHS Principal Lindsey Hall said racial issues were not the only ones that came out of the survey.

“The issue of respect and understanding the differences of others is important, but other issues came out of the survey,” she said. “It’s not all about race and ethnic background, they were just part of the survey.”

While the survey showed some racial issues, respect for all groups was found to be a more important issue.

“I can’t say the survey did not show a racial issue,” Hall said. “I would categorize it as there are issues of groups of people generally needing more respect. Are some of those racial groups? Yes, but it’s not saying that’s the only issue of respect.”

Respect problems aside, Hall said the survey showed the high school has a bigger issue.

“The item that came out as the biggest problem is that the school is not clean,” Hall said.

Respect issues are not noticed among all students.

“No, I don’t see racial issues to the degree people say there are,” said DHS senior Julie McGinn. “Cleanliness and the condition of the school is more important.”

DHS junior Naydja Bruton, said she hasn’t personally experienced any racial issues.

“I haven’t seen any racial issues here,” Bruton said. “Just heard about them in class discussions.”

One student notices slight racial tensions at the school, but feels it is just insecurities.

“There seems to be a little racial tension between whites and blacks, said DHS freshman Jessica Mariani. “It seems to be an insecurity.”