School officials decided not to fire a white teacher who told a black student he might get lynched because it was the first time she was disciplined, the district’s superintendent said Saturday.
Gail Kist-Kline, superintendent of Ohio’s Mason City Schools, said it was “the first and only time” social studies teacher Renee Thole “has been disciplined in more than 22 years” in a Facebook statement, reported The Washington Post.
Thole had told Tanish Agee-Bell’s son that if he did not quit talking and resume working, his friends would create “an angry mob and lynch him.” Thole admitted to the statement, and the superintendent reported she apologized to the class.
A petition calling for her ouster received over 3,000 signatures.
“There’s no explanation or defense that would make such a comment appropriate in any setting,” said Kist-Kline in a Facebook post. “It was wrong. Racism is real in America, and we all have an obligation to fight it.”
The superintendent said Thole was on administrative leave and received a disciplinary report.
“On a daily basis, in classrooms around the world, people make mistakes, someone corrects them, and everyone learns from the mistake,” explained Kist-Kline. “The teacher made a racially insensitive remark. The student bravely stood up and called his teacher to account. The student could have reacted poorly and could have rightfully berated the teacher for her thoughtlessness. Yet, he extended grace to the teacher. The student is the hero in this story.”
“I never wanted her fired,” said Agee-Bell on Facebook. “I want her trained properly. But just as important, I want the district to institute practices that give student and families confidence in being heard, valued and respected, when they have been wronged.”
ALSO WATCH:
Follow Rob Shimshock on Twitter
Connect with Rob Shimshock on Facebook
Send tips to rob@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
The Daily Caller News Foundation is working hard to balance out the biased American media. For as little as $3, you can help us. Make a one-time donation to support the quality, independent journalism of TheDCNF. We’re not dependent on commercial or political support and we do not accept any government funding.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.