A Pulaski middle school teacher was suspended after allegedly giving a student permission to wear a Ku Klux Klan costume as part of a history assignment, Pulaski County Superintendent Patrick Richardson confirmed.
“First and foremost, I am extremely disappointed and embarrassed by this incident,” Richardson told the Herald-Leader Monday night. “I would hope our school and community realize that this does not represent the character of our students and staff at Southern Middle School or our district as a whole.“
He said the teacher has been suspended pending a personnel investigation and the situation will be reported to the Kentucky Educational Professional Standards Board.
Richardson did not provide the teacher’s name.
The student reportedly dressed as Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate Army general and the first Grand Wizard of the KKK, Richardson said.
In addition, Richardson said, there is a video circulating with a teacher’s contact information on it. This teacher was not involved in the incident, he said.
“She is completely innocent in this matter and deserves to be treated as such. I am deeply apologetic for this situation and I am taking immediate steps to address the matter,” he said.