Ohio teacher who allegedly told students U.S. doesn't 'need another black president' suspended

12/27/2013

FAIRFIELD, Ohio — A southwest Ohio teacher who allegedly responded after a black high school freshman said he wanted to become president that the nation doesn’t need another black president has been disciplined.

The Fairfield board of education this week suspended teacher Gil Voigt without pay. The Hamilton-Middletown Journal-News reports that board president Dan Murray said the suspension is the first step in the termination process. The teacher has 10 days from formal notification to appeal before the school board.

School officials say the white teacher allegedly responded “we don’t need another black president” when the black student told him his ambition early in December.

Voigt reportedly told school officials he was misquoted. He has taught at Fairfield since 2000. A message was left for him Friday.