A substitute teacher reportedly told a Salem fifth-grader to “go back to Mexico” if he didn’t want to sing the Pledge of Allegiance.

The teacher, who hasn’t been publicly identified, will not be working anymore in Salem-Keizer Public Schools, the district said Thursday.

"She said, 'If you don't want to sing, go back to Mexico,' " Steven Zendejas, the boy involved, told the news station.

His mother told KATU he was born in the U.S. and is a U.S. citizen.

The incident happened at Swegle Elementary School.

“We’re really disappointed with what happened yesterday at Swegle Elementary,” Lillian Govus, district spokeswoman, told the news station for a report published Wednesday. “We pride ourselves on being a safe and welcoming school district. What that substitute said to that student doesn’t align with our values.”

-- Jim Ryan; jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015

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