Later, the principal explained that he is not a so called Holocaust denier, rather that he views it as his place to remain neutral on all matters of politics

William Latson, who is the head of Spanish River High School in Boca Raton told the parent that Holocaust education is 'to be introduced but not forced upon individuals, as we all have the same right but not all the same beliefs,' prompting outrage

A high school principal has sparked anger after he told the mother of a pupil that the Holocaust is a 'belief' that students don't have to learn, it was reported.

William Latson, who is the head of Spanish River High School in Boca Raton told the parent that Holocaust education is 'to be introduced but not forced upon individuals, as we all have the same right but not all the same beliefs,' prompting outrage.

Latson was responding to a question about the Second World War curriculum when he explained the controversial position, according to a series of emails seen by the Palm Beach Post.

That mother, who did not wish to be named, replied that: 'The Holocaust is a factual, historical event. It is not a right or a belief.'

However, the principal insisted: 'Not everyone believes the Holocaust happened and you have your thoughts but we are a public school and not all of our parents have the same beliefs so they will react differently.

'My thoughts or beliefs have nothing to do with this because I am a public servant. I have the role to be politically neutral but support all groups in the school...'

He added: 'I can't say the Holocaust is a factual, historical event because I am not in a position to do so as a school district employee.'

Latson at Spanish River High School, Florida has refused to call the Holocaust fact

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Later, the principal explained that he is not a so called Holocaust denier, rather that he views it as his place to remain neutral on all matters of politics.

'I can't say the Holocaust is a factual, historical event because I am not in a position to do so as a school district employee,' Latson wrote in the email to the mother.

Latson's ill considered response led the mother to launch a year-long effort to tackle what she called the school leader's failure to separate truth from myth regarding the genocide of an estimated 6 million Jews under Germany's Nazi regime.

This summer, Latson spent four days in Washington, D.C., touring the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, a trip paid for by a nonprofit that promotes Holocaust awareness

Spanish River High School in Boca Raton, Florida

Following their interaction, all 10th-grade English students are required to read 'Night,' a classic Holocaust memoir by Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel.

At the time, students were assigned to read only passages from the book, and the mother said that in her child's class the readings hadn't occurred.

This summer, Latson spent four days in Washington, D.C., touring the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, a trip paid for by a nonprofit that promotes Holocaust awareness.

Latson said in a statement that his time in the museum served as 'a poignant lesson and reminder of one of the most horrific events in human history.'