Mexican Costume Controversy: Abrell, 202 President Respond

PLAINFIELD, IL — Days after teachers in Idaho were put on paid leave for Halloween costumes that featured a Mexican "border wall" as well as several staffers wearing ponchos, sombreros and fake mustaches, Plainfield school district administrators responded to concerns over Mexican Halloween costumes worn by District 202 staffers shown in a photo on Superintendent Lane Abrell's Twitter feed. At least one parent also took exception to a response from District 202 board president Greg Nichols saying "anyone that would be upset by this is merely looking to be offended," adding that he would not "waste the District's time addressing the issue" other than his emailed response.

Nichols' response also states, "Nobody was bullied. Nobody was ridiculed. Nobody was minimized. Nobody was marginalized. It was not racist."

Abrell confirmed he did post the photo, which showed several staff members in ponchos, sombreros and mustaches, along with the message, "What a good lookin' group of Plainfield District 202 administration and staff ... happy Halloween."

The tweeted photo, which showed Abrell, Assistant Superintendent Glenn Wood and several secretaries, was later deleted.

One parent, who declined to be identified, saying she feared retaliation, told Patch she found the photo hurtful. "There are upset families," she said in a message to Patch, adding that she's spoken to other parents with Mexican heritage who felt the photo was offensive.

"I also spoke to a few current and former teachers who are upset and embarrassed by this," the parent said. "As someone of Hispanic descent, it upsets me."

Both Abrell and Nichols said the costumes were not intended to be offensive, and said the outfits were chosen and purchased by an employee who is Mexican.

Nichols confirmed he did send a reply to a parent that "could be construed as short and dismissive, as I stated I was not going to waste the district’s time to formally address concerns about the photo."

Nichols added, "Dr. Abrell addressed the situation by removing the photo as soon as he learned someone had complained about it. There is no further action required. I shared that email replies would be the only action I planned to take."

Nichols added that in his reply, he was not "trying to alienate anyone," saying he was "defending our employees and their celebration, born of good will and innocence."

Abrell said several district administration office staff members decided to dress in costume for Halloween, "as they do each year.

"An employee of Hispanic/Mexican descent chose the costume and several members who dressed up are of Hispanic/Mexican descent as well as others of non-Hispanic descent," Abrell said in a statement to Patch. "They invited me to join them and I did so in the spirit of the day and to build camaraderie among our staff. Neither they nor I meant any offense to anyone. I apologize to anyone who might have been offended by this picture."

Main photo via Patch file/District 202