The Poplar Bluff R-1 School District is continuing an investigation after a high school student dressed in a Ku Klux Klan costume during class as part of a group presentation Friday afternoon.
"There is no excuse for this, it's something that will not be tolerated or will ever be tolerated on my watch," Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill said. "This can't happen."
An American History class was divided into study groups to make presentations focused on amendments to the Constitution.
"The group in which this student participated had been 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," Dill said. "As a part of the presentation, students discussed the adverse historical actions of certain organizations that actively engaged in the suppression of voter rights."
A photo from the class shared on social media quickly spread Friday afternoon showing a student wearing a pointed hood and white robe sitting in a desk surrounded by other students.
While other groups used costumes as well, and have been apart of this lesson in the past, Dill said nothing like this has occurred in the past.
"Obviously we have a terrible situation on our hands," Dill said.
While the investigation continues to provide disciplinary action to those involved, Dill and the school district are working with Bishop Ron Webb of Mt. Calvary Powerhouse Church to bring the community together.
Dill added the school district will do "whatever it takes to make this right."
"There is no place for this in our schools or our society," he said. "We have worked too hard to heal these wounds and bridge this gap within our community and within our country to allow something like this to tear us apart. This is not who we are as a school district or as a community."
With Webb's involvement with the Bridge the Gap group and the relationship the two have formed over the years, Dill reached out following the incident.
"I was in total shock," Webb said after hearing what took place in the classroom.
Nearly 100 people reached out to Webb on Friday evening to ask what would be done next as he was at a speaking engagement in St. Louis.
"I have heard a lot of anger and people can't believe this would take place in a classroom," he said.
Webb told everyone while he didn't have any answers other than he would speak with the school district. Dill reached out to Webb first.
"The fact that (Dill) has owned this is important," Webb said. "We have to find a way to bridge the gap and heal these wounds because I'm a voice of unity, but at the same time we have to hear the concerns of the people too."
The help Webb is providing the district is the key to school's success and moving forward in helping bridge the gaps, Dill said.
Webb added when the person in authority doesn't see the issue, there is a problem. Dill, he said, is on top of the issue and dealing with those involved while the investigation is unfolding.
"You can't act like this didn't happen because a lot of times that is what causes outbursts," he said. "But you have to be open-minded and open our hearts to be open and receptive and let the other person express how they feel without reserving judgment."
While Webb also agrees the student and teacher both made a bad decision, he added the teacher has to take responsibility for allowing the costume to be worn in what Webb described as a "highly racial sensitive climate environment on racism, which we are living in right now."
The teacher is expected to make an apology to their class and others present Monday at school.
Webb said if invited to the school on Monday, he would appreciate an apology because he believes the actions are appropriate with what has taken place.
Dill said Webb has facilitated conversations in the community and it's his hope that from this terrible situation, common ground can be found and courageous conversations will take place to make a stronger community and school.
"I believe that through respectful dialogue, you can accomplish anything, but it has to be through respectful dialogue," Webb said. "There is a resolution to this. We can resolve this."
At some point, Webb said conversations will also need to take place on why the costume was wrong, so it will not be repeated.
In an effort to have a plan in place when these type of issues arise again, which unfortunately, Webb said, they would, he has suggested sensitivity training across the board and into other communities for superintendents, principals, teachers and more.
Eyes need to be opened and people made aware that racism does exist and is prevalent, Webb said.
The two men believe by working together as a community, the area will find some good in a bad situation.
"We learn from two ways," Webb said. "Mentors and mistakes."
While this "mistake" has sparked anger in the area and further, Webb reminded if people don't forgive, they can't be forgiven.
"We must try not to repeat mistakes again, but learn from them," he said. "This is not who we are as a community or people. Poplar Bluff is a great community with great people here and we will not let the actions of a few determine the direction of the community."