Update: This story has been updated as of 7:07 pm on 01/26/2017.

This article is written for clarification of the story that was posted on January 23, 2016 entitled “Years worth of traditional cheerleading under harsh scrutiny.”

Since the article, the principal has issued a formal apology on Twitter to members of the cheerleading team and in person.

An object was thrown on the court during the basketball game and Springbrook received a technical foul.

“When I got a communication things still seemed to be getting out of hand that is the reason that I went over to the cheer coach and request that we tone it down,” Williams said.

Dr. Art Williams said that he takes ownership of the comments that were made.

Referring to the article published by The Blueprint, an official response from Paint Branch High School reads, “Your article details a Springbrook matter that will be resolved as a community. Dr. Williams has taken full responsibility for his comment and indicated to students that it should not be attributed to anyone else. The Paint Branch Principal was not being quoted.”

“I regret the word choice and the harm that these comments have caused. The cheerleading team has always been at integral part of the spirit and life of the school,” Williams said.

The meeting between athletic director Dan Feher and the cheer team was mainly about using better sportsmanship that adheres to Montgomery County guidelines.

Under unacceptable behavior, the MCPS Pompons and Cheer handbook states, “performing disrespectful or derogatory yells, chants, songs, or gestures.”

He said he was not trying to change the style of their performance and respects the inspiration of the cheers they use.

Feher said he was unaware of the the interaction between Williams and coach Andrea Short prior to the meeting with the team.

The discussion of HBCUs in the meeting was initiated by the cheerleaders. Feher explained that teams have to follow the guidelines of MCPS athletics and not other colleges or universities rules in regards to sportsmanship.

The statement “HBCU has no place in MCPS” was not explicitly said.

“I have learned a lot from the situation, creating and maintaining positive functional relationships with all students and student-athletes has always been a priority of mine and the cheerleaders at Springbrook are no exception,” Feher said.

*This article was updated with an official response from Paint branch High School.