A Southeast Missouri school district has come under fire after a student wore a Ku Klux Klan uniform to an American History class, prompting administrators to consider sensitivity training.
According to local news station KFVS Channel 12, students in Poplar Bluff High School were divided into groups and tasked with making presentations about the amendments.
One group was assigned the 15th Amendment “ensuring the rights of citizens to vote would not be denied or abridged by the United States on account of race or color. As part of the presentation, students discussed the adverse historical actions of certain organizations that actively engaged in the suppression of voter rights.”
Superintendent Scott Dill said there was no reason to believe the student wearing the KKK hood and sheet did so to intentionally discriminate. However, the teacher was still suspended.
The unidentified teacher issued an apology via a written statement calling the incident “a lapse in judgment.”
“I am sorry. It is my job to ensure my students feel safe in class and at school. Because of my lapse in judgment, many of you were hurt and felt uncomfortable. I never wanted that to happen. I think of my classes as my family, and I would never intentionally offend or hurt any of you.”
Superintendent Dill said the district will use this as a teachable moment and ensure that “age-appropriate historical context, on these critical issues in a socially relevant and culturally responsible manner” will be provided in the future.
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