A Las Vegas high school history teacher who allowed students to dress up in Ku Klux Klan robes as part of a class assignment won't face any disciplinary action,
The Daily Caller reported Monday.
Two juniors at Las Vegas Academy, a performing arts high school, decided to wear KKK robes as part of a class assignment in which students had to showcase their knowledge of U.S. history. They had the option to write a research paper, create artwork, or perform a dance or first-person narrative, according to the
Las Vegas Sun.
One of the students wore a white robe and hooded mask outside of the class, reportedly against the teacher's guidelines, the Sun reported. Someone snapped a photo and posted it on social media, sparking questions and complaints from the community. The same teacher has reportedly allowed students to dress up as Adolf Hitler for other class assignments.
Neither the teacher nor the students have been publicly identified by school officials.
Principal Scott Walker sent out a letter to parents Jan. 11 calling the incident "unfortunate," according to the Sun.
"While the presentation was designed to highlight the atrocities committed by the Klan, and there was no intention to harm or offend on the part of the students, it was in poor judgment and inappropriate for students to go to such lengths to convey their message," Walker's message said.
Some students, parents, and teachers defended the teacher at a Clark County school board meeting last week. Linda Young, the only African-American school board member, said the assignment was an opportunity for students to be creative, according to the Daily Caller.
"This teacher has my support," Young said at the meeting. "I truly do believe the teacher meant no harm."
The school is assessing its internal procedures and discussing the impact of school assignments with staff members, the Caller said.