LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. — A math teacher at Lake Worth Community High School was recently reassigned after he was involved in a "racially-charged incident" during class, according to the principal.
Cary Altschuler was teaching a class last month when he displayed three students' photos on a classroom board with the titles "extra cream," "medium roast," and "dark roast" above their heads, the Palm Beach Post reported.
In a letter to parents and guardians, principal Elena Villani called Altschuler's actions "egregiously inappropriate" and said the content had "no place in any school setting, or anywhere, for that matter."
Following the incident, Villani said school administrators intervened, elevating the matter to the school district's office of professional standards.
Altschuler was reassigned to a position where he does not have contact with students, Villani said. The teacher will remain in that role during the course of an internal investigation, according to the school.
"Having a teacher who is obviously racist and closed minded like he is doesn’t need to be here," one parent told WPTV's Kamrel Eppinger. "How do expect our kids to conduct themselves accordingly if our leaders aren’t conducting themselves?"
Altschuler has been teaching at the school since 2020.
According to his personnel file, this isn't the first time he's been in trouble. In 2016, while teaching in Broward County, he was involved in an incident that led to disciplinary actions being placed on his traching certificate."
The principal said she apologized to parents for the situation, which she described as "disturbing."
Read the full letter to parents and guardians:
Dear Lake Worth Community High School parents and guardians,
I am reaching out to inform you about a racially charged incident that was reported today in your child’s Math class.
Mr. Altschuler, the instructor, presented egregiously inappropriate content that has no place in any school setting, or anywhere, for that matter.
My school administrators immediately intervened, elevating this matter to the District's Office of Professional Standards. Mr. Altschuler has been reassigned to a no-student contact position where he will remain during the course of an internal investigation.
Another instructor will teach your child's class during the investigation. Parents, please feel free to contact your guidance counselor or administrator with any further questions or concerns.
I apologize for this disturbing situation. Our school and our District take this matter very seriously.
Sincerely,
Elena Villani