A Poplar Bluff High School teacher has been suspended after a student wore a Ku Klux Klan costume during a group presentation for an American History class Friday.
R-1 Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill read an apology letter to the class Monday from the teacher, who had been with the district and profession for three years.
"The suspension is indefinite until we feel all aspects of this situation have been addressed and when and if it could potentially be appropriate for the individual to return to work," Dill said.
After investigating the situation, Dill said the teacher was made aware of the costume choice the day of the presentation.
The investigation came after 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.
An apology letter from the teacher was read by Dill in front of the approximately 20 students from the class, Bishop Ron Webb of Mt. Calvary Powerhouse Church and Dr. Amy Jackson, superintendent in charge of human resources for the school district.
The teacher's name is not being released by the school district as well as the disciplinary actions against the student who wore the costume.
"As a school district and a community, we recognize that this situation has drawn a lot of attention and created a lot of controversy and those are not things we need in our public school system," Dill said. "The decision we made was by working collaboratively with the board of education and then we will go forward from there."
The teacher's letter was addressed to students, parents, staff and the community of Poplar Bluff.
"I want to sincerely apologize for the pain and negative attention that I have brought to our classroom, school and community," the letter read. "I made a mistake on Friday during our skit assignment. I let a student wear an inappropriate costume that was unacceptable and hurt many people's feelings. As the professional in the room, I should have known better. I am sorry."
The teacher's letter went on to say it was his job to ensure his students feel safe in class and at school.
"Because of my lapse in judgement, many of you were hurt and felt uncomfortable," the letter said. "I never wanted that to happen. I think of my classes as my family and would never intentionally offend or hurt any of you. I am sorry for making this mistake and I hope that you all can forgive me and we can work through this together. I understand that healing and forgiveness take time, and I am absolutely okay with that."
The letter closed by offering hopes that everyone has a safe and blessed Thanksgiving and "you take care of one another."