Journalism Teacher Is Put On Leave

A journalism teacher at South Hills High School has been put on leave while school district officials look into insensitive comments published in the most recent edition of the student newspaper, the Scorpion Voice.

A feature on page three under the headline “Survey says . . . ” reads: “Look around . . . what do you see? A diverse school. Great! Hmmm . . . A survey was conducted on how SHHS feels about our being a Hispanic majority institution. 52 students were interviewed.”

The reactions of six students and one teacher are quoted under a photograph of each.

One student, a junior, is quoted as saying, “Hispanics have a high dropout rate and it is making the school look bad.”

A sophomore responded, “Too many.”

A freshman is quoted as saying, “H.T.B. (Head to the border.)”

The journalism teacher, Amy Nelson, blacked out the “H.T.B.” comment with a black marker on most of the papers that were distributed to students Friday, but an unknown number were passed out with the comment visible.

Bobby Whiteside, of the district’s Office of Special Investigations, said Nelson was placed on administrative leave Monday while administrators investigate.

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