COLORADO SPRINGS — The president of Lewis-Palmer School District 38's Board of Education issued a public apology after a controversial photo was posted on his personal Facebook page this week.
President Matt Clawson said in his statement that during a family vacation a couple of his kids were performing skits and "wearing old Charlie Chaplin and Groucho Brothers type mustaches." Photos of the children posing were posted on Clawson's Facebook by a family member after he gave them permission to do so.
"After an hour or so, I reviewed the photos posted and ran across a photo that was inappropriate and offensive, and I immediately took one picture down," Clawson wrote. "Although the photo was taken in children’s play and without awareness, it was nonetheless inappropriate and offensive. This type of picture has no place in our society."
It has not been specified by the board or Clawson what the exact details of the photo entailed. The photo apparently also showed adults in the background with arms raised that some interpreted as a salute given by the Nazis. The district released a statement in response to the photo as well.
"Our community and country are in the middle of a season that has provided extensive opportunities for growth and awareness around systemic racism and discrimination," the statement reads. "A picture appeared on our School Board president’s personal Facebook page. Its content was offensive, to say the least. This picture was taken down, and Mr. Clawson has issued a public apology on his Facebook page."
There has not been any indication of any disciplinary action against Clawson for the photo.
