AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Alleged racist comments on an Akron, Ohio, high school teacher's Facebook page are being investigated, the Akron Public Schools said in a statement.
David Spondike, 51, a 15-year music teacher at Firestone High School, was placed on paid administrative leave, a statement Monday from the school system said.
His Facebook page allegedly included a racial slur in reference to African-American Halloween trick-or-treaters in his neighborhood and a posting saying they come from the "ghetto," WKYC-TV, Cleveland, reported.
"His comments were unprofessional and unbecoming a teacher. Regardless of whether he was on his own time ... he is a teacher, and his actions influence children. This is serious," Superintendent David W. James wrote in the statement.
The statement said Spondike removed the comments and apologized, adding his Facebook comments "were directed at the teen who exposed himself in front of young children," a reference to a person who allegedly urinated near his property and in front of his children.
