SPS bans substitute teacher after report of racist, threatening comments

A substitute teacher was escorted from a Springfield school — and banned from working for the district — after allegedly making racially charged and threatening comments to two middle school students.

The incident was Jan. 16 at Hickory Hills Elementary and Middle School.

Jean Hawkins said her eighth-grade son and his classmate, who are both black, walked into their technology class that Wednesday morning and were met by a male substitute teacher they did not know.

Hawkins said the substitute then made comments allegedly directed at them in front of the class.

"The teacher tells them, 'I was told to shoot you black boys. You black boys are nothing but trouble,' " Hawkins said. "He said, 'I've been told to shoot you.' "

Hawkins said her 14-year-old son was unsure how to react.

"He just looked at him (the teacher) and he couldn't believe what he was saying. He was like 'Wow,' " she said. "He didn't know if he should run."

She said the two students took their seats and class started without further incident. At some point, a different student either asked to be excused from the classroom or waited until passing period to go to the front office.

"He doesn't know who told," she said.

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A school administrator investigated the incident, and the substitute teacher, who has not been named publicly, was escorted off the school property.

Stephen Hall, chief communications officer for Springfield Public Schools, confirmed the school received a report that day regarding the incident.

"These alleged comments are disturbing, unacceptable, and are completely at odds with who we are as a school district," he said.

Substitute teachers are employed by the Springfield-based company Penmac Education Staffing, not the district. The district contracts with Penmac to recruit, train, evaluate and monitor a pool of eligible substitutes.

"Immediately upon learning of these allegations, our administrator notified Penmac of the situation and escorted the substitute from the building," Hall said. "There is zero tolerance for any comment like those described. SPS remains committed to ensuring that all of our students thrive in a learning environment where they feel safe, welcomed and respected."

Hall said the district took an additional step.

"Because of that commitment and our refusal to accept any behavior that fails to meet those standards, we can confirm that this individual was removed from the list of eligible SPS substitutes, on the same day the allegations were made, and will not return to SPS in any capacity," Hall said.

"We assure our students, parents and staff that timely and appropriate steps were taken to address this situation in accordance with the policies outlined in our partnership with Penmac.”

Hawkins said she learned about the incident from her son when he returned home after school. She immediately quizzed him about the circumstances to see if he or his friend had done anything to draw extra attention from the substitute.

"They were just walking into class normal," she said. "They weren't late. That was my first question."

She questioned why she had to hear about the comments from her son and not a school official. The next morning, she called and talked to a principal.

"I don't appreciate the school not calling me and telling me my son's life was threatened by a teacher," she said. "It's frustrating. I just want my son safe and other kids safe."

(In an update Thursday, SPS said a follow-up with principal showed the school did reach out to parents involved in the incident in a timely fashion).

Hawkins said she lodged a complaint with Penmac and has requested the name of the substitute, but it has not been provided.

She wants to know if the man is still employed as a substitute teacher and able to work in area districts.

"I want something done about this. Maybe this man will be somewhere else," she said. "It's just scary. I don't even know who he is."

Penmac Education Staffing posted a statement regarding the incident early Thursday: "We take these allegations seriously; there is absolutely no tolerance for such behavior. The substitute teacher in question is suspended from all new assignments pending a full investigation in partnership with Springfield Public Schools."

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