Lamar CISD teacher accused of giving students 'anti-Muslim' pamphlets resigns

Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Teacher accused of giving students 'anti-Muslim' pamphlets resigns
Lamar CISD says the teacher resigned as soon as the district launched an investigation into the complaint

RICHMOND, TX (KTRK) -- Lamar Consolidated ISD says a teacher accused of handing students pamphlets some have called "anti-Muslim" has resigned.

The Foster High school government teacher turned in his resignation notice April 8, as soon as the district launched an investigation into the complaint.

"I'm here in support of Dale Wolverton," meeting attendee Sean Davis said.

"He's the definition of what an educator should be," meeting attendee Austin Falcon said.

During the school board meeting Tuesday, there was strong showing of support for the teacher, who reportedly gave students material claiming that "Muhammad was a false prophet" and that Islam is an ideology of war.

One student was offended by the handout. Her parents contacted Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR.

"Feeling like she was in a bad situation, that she was being ostracized and so forth," said CAIR leader Ruth Nasrullah.

CAIR went to the school board, saying the problem with the handout is that the information is wrong.

"We have no problem with the open exchange of ideas -- democracy requires that -- but they have to start with facts," Nasrullah said.

The district says the teacher didn't follow the state or local curriculum. Some parents agree.

"The teacher, as well as he intended, crossed the line. Personally, I don't want the teacher going pass the three R's," said Donald Spencer.

Others say it's unfair and they want this veteran teacher back in the classroom.

"If its going to move this way, I don't want my child here. I'll take my child somewhere else," added Davis.

On Tuesday night, Lamar CISD issued the following statement:

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