Latest news with #SouthWashingtonCountySchools
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Woodbury: East Ridge teacher on leave following report of racial slur
A female teacher at East Ridge High School in Woodbury was placed on administrative leave Thursday after she reportedly repeatedly used a racial slur while talking with students, officials said. The teacher was 'immediately walked out of the building' after students reported the staff member had used the slur, said Shawn Hogendorf, a spokesman for South Washington County Schools. The teacher, who was not identified, was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, he said. In a letter sent to families, Principal Jim Smokrovich wrote that he received a report Thursday morning that the staff member used a racial slur 'while discussing inappropriate comments a student was making toward other students.' The staff member 'repeated the racial slur multiple times during the conversation,' Smokrovich wrote. 'As soon as we were made aware of this situation, we met with the students who reported what they heard the staff member say, and connected with their families,' he wrote. 'Understandably, the students were upset by the use of the racial slur. We are grateful to the students who were brave enough to bring this forward and to support our East Ridge values.' Staff are available to meet with students if they are 'in need of additional support to process this incident,' he wrote. East Ridge 'does not tolerate derogatory, discriminatory or racist language,' he wrote. 'As educators, we must be held to the highest possible standard. I offer my sincere apology for the actions that took place in our school.' Officials in the school district last fall banned a substitute teacher from its classrooms after he allegedly reenacted George Floyd's murder during classes at Woodbury High School. Meanwhile, the South Washington County school board on Thursday night voted 5-2 to update the district's racial equity and inclusion policy to remove duplications and clarify definitions and language. Board members Ryan Clarke and Eric Tessner dissented. The rewritten policy states that district administrators will 'condemn hate speech and expressions of racism, xenophobia, discrimination and ethnic or racial intolerance.' Hate speech is defined in the policy as speech that either disparages, demeans, targets, 'threatens or harasses a person or group based on protected class status.' Inmate rights groups demand say in Stillwater prison closure plan Pioneer Press 2025 patio guide: Wring every second out of summer at these 100+ Twin Cities spots Pioneer Press 2025 patio guide: Along the water and scenic spots Truck driver tells trooper he was distracted by map before Washington County fatal crash Woodbury officials seek info on rug connected to house fire
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Yahoo
Louise Hinz appointed to South Washington County School board
Former South Washington County School District board member Louise Hinz is coming back to the board. The school board last month voted unanimously to appoint Hinz, of Afton, to fill the position vacated by former school board member Pat Driscoll. Driscoll resigned after moving out of the district. Board members agreed to follow previous procedure and appoint an experienced school board member who had served within the past four years, said Shawn Hogendorf, director of communications and community relations for South Washington County Schools. Hinz, a longtime teacher in the district, was previously elected to the board in November 2019 and served one term. Hinz started teaching elementary school in the South Washington County School District in 1996 and later taught math at Woodbury Middle School from 2009 until her retirement in 2018. Hinz will be sworn in March 27 and will serve until the next general election in November, Hogendorf said. Education | Woodbury man sentenced for string of Washington County bank robberies Education | State hockey: Stillwater is back in the tournament, led by a deep, talented crop of seniors Education | Former Oakdale man treated 'like a dog' before murder in upstate New York, prosecutor says Education | Mahtomedi: Upscale apartment complex under construction at site of 'Fargo'-famous Lakeside Club Education | Cottage Grove: Park High School bus driver arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence
