SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- A Shadle Park High School teacher has been placed on paid leave for handing out the lyrics to a song by the hip hop group Blue Scholars on the first day of school.
Spokane school spokeswoman Terren Roloff said the district is investigating the allegation. She said it was too early to say if the teacher will be punished. Roloff told KREM 2 News late Wednesday night that the teacher is on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Roloff did not have details about the song. But the members of the Seattle duo Blue Scholars said the song was called "Commencement Day."
The lyrics contain profanity. Blue Scholars said it's a song about the hardships of students and teachers.
One portion of the lyrics read: "It goes one for the student who refuses to submit, and two for the teachers who are underpaid as s__t. It's the next generation of miseducated youth, who demonstrate the truth and manage to make it through."
According to the teacher’s union (Spokane Education Association), at least four students told their parents, who in turn told the principal. At least one parent complained to a school board member.
Spokane Public Schools said today it is investigating the allegation of inappropriate lyrics being handed out.
Jenny Rose from the union told KREM 2 News the teacher already apologized and admitted it was a stupid mistake.
Rose said the male teacher has been at Shadle for at least four years and is extremely popular.
Rose called the suspension “overboard”, adding that although there should be discipline, "this is totally unbelievable."
The staff at Shadle declined comment.
