Escondido School District Addresses 'Insensitive' Teacher Photos

ESCONDIDO, CA -- The Escondido Union High School District says that it's taking action after culturally insensitive photos of teachers appeared in a school yearbook.

The photos were released May 20 in the 2019 San Pasqual High School yearbook. They depict six world language faculty members wearing sombreros and ponchos while holding up false mustaches. The captions include "Senor" and "Senora" in front of the teachers' names.

A seventh teacher is dressed in a black French beret and clothing and is wearing sunglasses.

The photos caused an uproar on campus and within the school district, with some complaining of ethnic stereotyping and cultural appropriation.

In a statement released the day after the photos became public, the school district released a statement saying that the photos were "insensitive and in poor judgment" and that district administrators have discussed the issue with school staff.

"(San Pasqual High Principal) Martin Casas and his administrative team are taking precautions to ensure a similar situation does not occur in the future," the statement reads in part.

Casas also released comments, in them stating that the school takes pride in its diversity.

"It is our intent to use this situation as a tool to remind students, as well as staff, to remember the impacts of their words and actions," he said.