Principal forced to apologise after 'white students should be in the same class' email
A principal in the US has tried to explain why she wrote "white students should be in the same class" in an email to teachers regarding class placements for the next school year.
Christine Hoffman, principal of Campbell Park Elementary School in Pinellas County, has since been forced to apologise after an email went out to staff members, which listed class guidelines.
One of those guidelines – keep white students in the same class.
The original email instructed staff on a number of issues, including 'classes need to be heterogeneous according to MAP reading scores'; 'student numbers need to be even for each class'; 'try to keep the number of boys and girls equal'; and 'white students should be in the same class' among other things.
Ms Hoffman has since sent an apology email, saying it was "poor judgement".
"In taking time to reflect on my actions, I felt it was important to write to all of you and share my thoughts," she said.
"I made a mistake, and I am sorry. I hope you know from our work together all year how dedicated I am to our students, our families and the success of our school.
"I value diversity, and the e-mail I wrote does not represent my commitment to our students and our school community."
US news station 10 News spoke with the president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colorado People (NAACP) St. Pete branch who says she was in shock when she saw the memo.
"At first I didn't believe it. I had to make sure it was true. Then when it was, I was in disbelief. It shows you still today what we are dealing with in the 21st century," Maria Scruggs said.
Scruggs also says that the apology is not enough. She has reached out to the superintendent and is waiting to speak with him.
