A TOP education boss has apologised after a guest speaker at a New Jersey school labelled Adolf Hitler a “good leader” in a talk to pupils.
Joe Piro, athletic director of Nutley High School, even displayed the Nazi leader’s photo next to one of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
He made the controversial remarks Saturday during a presentation for athletes at Madison High School, according to local reports.
Supt. Mark Schwarz later wrote to parents: “The speaker contrasted Dr King and Hitler, referring to the latter as a ‘good leader’ with ‘bad moral character and intentions’.
“Accordingly, it is the position of the Madison High School District that the inclusion of Adolf Hitler had no place in the context of an assembly intended to promote unity and character.”
According to Schwarz, Piro – not identified in the letter – also showed photos of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and “other notable positive leaders” during the event, NJ.com reported.
Schwarz wrote: “It was unnecessarily provocative and insensitive for the speaker to include the image of a criminal whose legacy includes the systematic torture and slaughter of millions of Jews, the disabled, and others in Eastern Europe.
“If the speaker intended to highlight an example of an effective leader with misguided intentions, a less emotionally-charged example would have been more effective and appropriate.”
Schwarz went on to say that in the future, any presentation given by an outside speaker will be screened by a school administrator.
In a statement to NorthJersey.com, Piro admitted to making the comments, saying it was not his intention “to offend anyone in or outside of the Madison Public School District and I am truly sorry if I did”.
MOST RED IN NEWS
He said: “My intentions during the presentation were to make a point that a leader could have strong leadership skills and influence people in a negative way.
“As a 20-year educator who has worked with a wide variety of students that come from very diverse and unique backgrounds, I fully understand and recognise that Adolf Hitler was an evil man who acted in a horrific manner.
“As I believe in learning from experience, I will remove the reference from any future presentations.”
A spokeswoman for Nutley Public Schools would not say whether Piro will face any disciplinary measures, it’s been reported.
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