Outrage after principal sends email saying “white students should be in the same class”

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

District officials said on Monday that the beleaguered principal of Campbell Park Elementary will leave campus while officials conduct an “administrative review.”

The principal, Christine Hoffman, found herself at the center of controversy last week after she sent out an email dictating that “white students should be in the same class.” There was no context or further explanation given for her comments, and she later sent out an apology for “poor judgement” in a letter sent home to parents on Friday.

Lisa Wolf, a district spokeswoman, said that Hoffman herself had requested to be transferred off campus and would not return. The assistant principal would take over running the school in the meantime.

While many parents and others have been calling for Hoffman to resign, she has refused, and two eyewitnesses reported Hoffman saying on Monday when confronted by parents, “I am the best thing that has happened to Campbell Park.”

— Brooklyn principal charged with assault for punching, kicking student — 

Additionally, according to community member Denise Ford, Hoffman claimed in meeting with parents and community members that she had wanted white students to be comfortable. When asked if white students were experiencing bullying or if they had expressed discomfort, Hoffman said no. When parents tried to further press her on the issue, Hoffman abruptly left, apparently to do morning announcements.

“The parents said that as black people we are used to being the only black person in the classroom and no one is making sure we are comfortable,” Ford said. “The parents were not accepting of any excuse. We accept your apology, but you have to go.”

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