Parents alarmed by conversation regarding hate group in Moore classroom

A conversation about a hate group between a substitute teacher and a 5th-grade class in Moore has some parents alarmed.

According to parent Timothy Clark, the incident started after one of the students at Plaza Towers Elementary School asked the substitute teacher "What was the KKK?"

The classroom discussion

Clark said the substitute allegedly said the KKK was "A group of white people that don’t like Black people," and continued on, adding "We use to hang y’all."

After the substitute's statement, the instructor claimed the students became rowdy and asked the classroom to stop asking questions.

However, Clark says some of the students began to look up the hate group on their phones and computers.

"I just couldn't understand why if an adult didn't know how to discuss the topic, then why would it even be talked about?" Clark said. "To me, I only took it one way, that she's a part of the group ... I don't want to jump to conclusions, but that's how I would take it."

According to the FBI, The Ku Klux Klan, known as the KKK, is an American white supremacist hate group founded in 1865, during Southern Reconstruction following the Civil War.

Moore Public Schools' response

Moore Public Schools says it began investigating as soon as the district received a complaint.

"When Moore Public Schools became aware of this complaint, we immediately investigated and determined appropriate next steps based upon that information following state law and board policy," the district said. "MPS instructs students using the approved Oklahoma Academic State Standards curriculum.

The district also said it will continue to strive to maintain a "respectful and welcoming environment" when discussing difficult topics in the classroom.

Aftermath

According to Plaza Towers Elementary School, the substitute teacher involved in the discussion is still employed at the school but has not returned to that particular classroom.

News 9 asked the district if 5th-grade students are taught about the hate group, but MPS says the content is not taught until the 9th grade.