A local high school sent a letter apologizing to parents after a substitute teacher tore up Black Live Matter and Pride signs in a classroom. The sub, Jason Jennings, admitted doing it to our news partners at Fox 2.
"No kids were in the classroom when it was done," said Jennings. "Do I understand that it wasn't my property to remove? Fully, I understand that."
Jennings was hired to teach at Parkway Central High School through a company called Kelly Education. The company issued the following statement:
Kelly Education is deeply troubled by the reports of inappropriate behavior involving our employee. Our top priority is to protect the safety and well-being of the students we serve, and we do not tolerate employee behavior that violates our policies or the policies of our school partners. We are working with school administration as we investigate the matter, and the substitute teacher has been suspended from all future assignments pending completion of the investigation. We will take appropriate action at the conclusion of the investigation.
Tim McCarthy, principal at Parkway Central, sent an apology letter to families Friday:
I am deeply sorry this incident occurred at Central High. The safety and well being of our students and staff are always our highest priority. I am also extremely grateful that our students and their teacher recognized that this incident was in violation of who we are as a school community and reported their concerns directly to Central High administrators. With that level of commitment to each other, I am confident that the success and positivity that has been so much a part of this school year will continue in the weeks to come.
As for why Jennings ripped up the signs, he told Fox 2 he didn't think teachers should openly be promoting Black Lives Matter to students, and he pointed to his faith when asked about the Pride signage.
"I just don't think those type of things should be hanging up around kids in schools,' he said.
Jennings is running for the Missouri House as a Republican in the 100th district.
