Fourteen teachers and faculty members working at the Middleton School District in Middleton, Idaho, are currently on paid leave after the district's official Facebook page posted pictures of some of them dressed in offensive, stereotypical Mexican costumes. Another picture shows six teachers dressed as a "border wall" with Trump's slogan, "Make America Great Again," written on the front.
These costumes were designed and worn as part of a staff "team building exercise" which had faculty members divided into groups competing to create Halloween costumes portraying a given country or culture in a stereotypical way.
Understandably, many students and parents are outraged.
In response, the school board has put 14 teachers on paid leave while they wait for the furor to die down. Superintendent Josh Middleton, in a public statement, says this incident was the result of "poor judgment," not malice.
Teachers who are willing to collectively participate in such incredible acts of racism have absolutely no place educating children. There was not "poor judgment," this was hostility directed at Latino immigrants, some of which are in their classrooms. Not only should these teachers not be rewarded for their hateful bigotry with paid vacation, they should simply be dismissed outright.
Add your name to this petition to tell Middleton School District Superintendent Josh Middleton that his treatment of this scandal has come up short and that nothing short of firing those involved will be acceptable!
