CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The principal of William Jones College Preparatory High School in Chicago has been removed from his duties, pending an investigation, after a student in Nazi-like garb goose-stepped across a stage during a Halloween costume contest.
Chicago Public Schools officials informed students and their families of the development in an email Friday.
Video of the goose-stepping student – and angry responses from some of his peers – went viral this week. Principal Paul Joseph Powers had sent parents an email acknowledging the offensive nature of the costume but he said the student did not mean harm.
Powers’ comments drew criticism for being tone-deaf.
“ … CPS has launched a full investigation into the incident in accordance with our District’s protocols for processing bias-based harm,” the Friday email from CPS CEO Pedro Martinez to Jones students and families said. “Furthermore, CPS has removed Dr. Paul Joseph Powers from his principal duties effective immediately, pending the results of that investigation.”
Former CPS principal Arthur Slater will serve as “Administrator in Charge,” effective immediately, CPS said.
The Chicago Teachers Union had called for the removal of Powers.
* Article from: audacy.com