Hempstead High School Staffer Placed On Leave For Racial Slur

A Hempstead High School staff member has been placed on leave after a video began circulating on social media showing the individual using a racial slur at school, school officials said. In a letter to Hempstead families sent Wednesday, Assistant Principal Julia Jorgenson wrote that the actions in the video “are not acceptable and do not represent the values” of Hempstead or Dubuque Community Schools. Jorgenson said the staff member involved was immediately placed on leave while the district completes an investigation, which will be followed by appropriate disciplinary action. District spokesperson Mike Cyze said Thursday that no other information regarding the incident is available at this time.