A Facebook post on the page of Prosser first-grade teacher Cheriese Rhode triggered a series of phone calls, emails and visits to the Prosser School District Office this week out of safety and security concerns. She’s been place on administrative leave. Screen shot from Facebook
Prosser school officials placed a teacher on administrative leave Friday for using Facebook to urge people to call immigration agents to report suspected illegal residents.
Cheriese Rhode, a first-grade teacher in Prosser, reportedly posted a message Wednesday night on her personal Facebook page urging people to call Immigration and Customs Enforcement in connection with the A Day Without Immigrants Boycott.
People closed businesses around the nation Thursday and kept children home from school to demonstrate how crucial immigrants are to the U.S. economy.
“This is a great idea, narrows the search down,” said the Facebook post, which included a phone number for the agency.
“If this offended you in anyway do me a favor and unfriend my American (expletive)!!!” said the post. “This was going viral on my daughter’s SnapChat ... TRUMP all the way!!!”
The message generated a flurry of phone calls and emails to the Prosser School District, where nearly 62 percent of the students are Hispanic.
Prosser Superintendent Ray Tolcacher said people even visited school district offices out of concerns over the post, and on Friday he issued a statement about a teacher’s suspension. The district did not name the teacher.
The district did not name the teacher.
DUE TO POSSIBLE SAFETY AND SECURITY CONCERNS, AS WELL AS CONCERN FOR DISRUPTION OF THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT, THIS TEACHER HAS BEEN PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE PENDING INVESTIGATION.
Prosser Superintendent Ray Tolcacher
“Due to possible safety and security concerns, as well as concern for disruption of the school environment, this teacher has been placed on administrative leave pending investigation,” he wrote.
“Please be assured that the views expressed by this teacher on...
