An Elkhorn Public Schools teacher has been placed on administrative leave following a Facebook post that compared anti-maskers and Klansmen.
The district confirmed Tuesday that the post showed the hood of a Ku Klux Klan outfit and a medical face mask and posed the question: "Isn't it strange they can breathe in this (the KKK mask) but not this (the medical mask)?"
The teacher's name has not been released.
Kara Perchal, district spokeswoman, said the district was made aware of the post Tuesday morning. The teacher has been placed on leave while the issue is investigated, she said in a statement.
"Notably, the stated views were expressed on the individual's personal social media account and do not represent those of the Elkhorn Public Schools," Perchal said in the statement.
Masks are optional for students and staff in the Elkhorn district.
According to the WOWT TV station, which was in touch with the teacher, the teacher said someone could not be both a Klansman and oppose masks without being hypocritical.
“My personal views on politics, masking, those are outside of the classroom," the teacher told the station. "I love my job. My opinions are not part of my job. I do my job, I teach math, I teach literature, I teach critical thinking skills. We don’t talk about politics.”
Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of August 2021
Nebraska's Samori Toure catches a pass against Illinois in the third quarter on Saturday. The play was called back due to an offensive pass interference penalty.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Markese Stepp (30) walks off the field following the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Illinois won the game 30-22.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez (2) gets hit by Illinois' Keith Randolph Jr. (88) and fumbles the ball in the first half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez (2) gets hit by Illinois' Keith Randolph Jr. (88) and fumbles the ball in the first half of the Illinois vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Pheldarius Payne celebrates a first quarter sack of Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters on Saturday.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Pitzirikia dancers perform at Omaha’s Original Greek Festival at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church on Saturday.
ANNA REED PHOTOS, THE WORLD-HERALD
Shirley Smith, the self-described Vote Lady, marches with other activists to bring awareness to voting rights and accessibility along North 24th Street in Omaha on Saturday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Beh Meh, 15, plays volleyball as an evening thunderstorm moves over Omaha on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Meaghan Hill, of Hudson, Ohio, makes her bed as her mom, Margaret Hill, brings more items into her dorm at Creighton University on Friday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
KK Limbhasut watches his ball soar from the sandtrap during the Pinnacle Bank Golf Championship at The Club at Indian Creek in Omaha on Thursday.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Michael Miller hits during the Pinnacle Bank Golf Championship at The Club at Indian Creek in Omaha on Thursday.
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Mud and debris cover the area looking north on 13th Street from Leavenworth Street on Sunday.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Gravel and debris rest on cars that were moved out of their parking spots due to flooding, photographed on 14th Street looking north towards Leavenworth Street on Sunday. A storm on Saturday night dropped several inches of rain in the area.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
A manhole knocked loose due to water pressure, sits on Leavenworth Street near Ninth Street on Sunday. A storm on Saturday night dropped several inches of rain in the area.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Amy Christianson takes a photo of the damage on 14th Street south of Leavenworth Street on Sunday. The bricks washed out from a sidewalk south of there. A storm on Saturday night dropped several inches of rain in the area.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Ty Wegener restores the paint on the Bronco's Hamburgers sign located at 4540 Leavenworth Street on Friday. Wegener is with Wags Sign Co.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Thanks to the Holland Performing Arts Center for hosting our annual Super Six high school football photoshoot. The stage is where the state’s top six performers gathered, more than ready to get the show started. For these athletes the show starts Aug. 26 and 27 — and they are hoping it doesn’t end until Nov. 22 or 23 at Memorial Stadium. The Super Six, from left: Lincoln Southeast's Jake Appleget, Omaha Central's Deshawn Woods, Bellevue West's Micah Riley-Ducker, Omaha Burke's Devon Jackson, Bellevue West's Kaden Helms and Columbus' Ernest Hausmann.
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Quarterbacks Logan Smothers, left, and Adrian Martinez throw during practice at the Hawks Championship center on Wednesday.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Allison Weidner, a Humphrey St. Francis senior, has committed to Nebraska to play basketball. Photographed at her family's farm outside Humphrey, Neb., on Tuesday, March 23, 2021.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
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