Stir Over Spanish Speak Suspension

Kansas Principal Sent Teen Home From School For Talking In Spanish

(AP)  A school superintendent has apologized to a student suspended last week for speaking Spanish at school.

The teenage boy was sent home from the Endeavor Alternative School in the Turner School District on Nov. 28 for talking in Spanish at lunch and later in the day. Principal Jennifer Watts sent him home and suspended him through the following day.

District officials said Watts told the boy's father the suspension was a direct result of his speaking Spanish. Superintendent of Schools Bobby Allen reversed the suspension within hours of learning about it from the father, the district said, The Kansas City Star reported Thursday.

"As soon as he found out, he contacted the parent and said that should not have happened," said Bart Swartz, the district's executive director of certified personnel.

Swartz said students are not forbidden to speak Spanish at any school in the district, and he knew of no other similar suspensions.

"It absolutely surprised us, and to our knowledge this has never happened before," Swartz said.

Swartz could not comment on any disciplinary action as a result of the suspension but said Watts continues to work for the district.