Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Florida Regional Director Shen Zvi called on Spanish River High School Principal William Latson in Boca Raton to resign after he blamed his recent reassignment on a “false statement.”
The Palm Beach County School District announced on July 8 that Latson was being reassigned due to an email exchange in April 2018 where he said, “I can’t say the Holocaust is a factual, historical event because I am not in a position to do so as a school district employee.” Latson apologized for his remarks to the Palm Beach Post prior to the district’s announcement, but on July 9 he told the Post his comments “were not accurately relayed to the newspaper.”
He went onto say, “It is unfortunate that someone can make a false statement and do so anonymously and it holds credibility but that is the world we live in.”
Zvi said in a July 10 statement that Latson should resign over his “false statement” comments.
“While we welcomed his reassignment to a district position, ADL had hoped his apology was sincere and Latson could learn from his mistakes,” Zvi said. “Given that he cannot take responsibility for his actions, Latson should resign, and if not we believe the district should end his employment.”
Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and other Florida lawmakers are among those who are also calling on Latson to resign.
A district spokesperson did not respond to the Journal’s request for comment.
