Obama effigy found at troubled school

CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. (WPRI) - An effigy of President Barack Obama was found in a Central Falls High School classroom in Central Falls, R.I.

In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frances Gallo said an “educator” put the doll in a classroom.

“The matter was investigated by the District, reported to the appropriate authorities, and the proper disciplinary actions have been taken,” the statement said.

CNN is reporting the doll was found hanging by its feet Monday night by Gallo.

Gallo told CNN she found the doll after being tipped off to its existence. She entered the school late Monday night and made the discovery while the school was empty. She told CNN the doll was clutching a sign that read “Fire Central Falls Teachers.”

The Central Falls Teachers Union released a statement condemning the action.

“The Central Falls Teachers Union strongly condemns the actions of a Central Falls High School teacher who placed a doll of President Obama upside down in his classroom as part of what he described as a lesson plan. Simply put, the teacher’s actions were wrong…”

Gallo told CNN she confronted the teacher who said it “was a joke to him.”

In February, district administrators fired all of the teachers at the low-performing school, bringing national attention and a mention in a speech by President Obama.