Los Angeles Times

How did four smiling teachers end up posing with a noose? Here's what they told investigators

LOS ANGELES - Four elementary school teachers who were placed on leave after a photo of them smiling and holding a noose circulated on social media were not motivated by racism and were unaware of the pain and hurt it would cause the Palmdale School District community, an investigator concluded in a new report.

But the actions of the Summerwind Elementary School teachers in May were "ignorant, lacked judgment, and exhibited a gross disregard for professional decorum in a school setting," according to the report released Friday.

The photo sparked a public outcry and the teachers were placed on paid administrative leave while investigators looked into the

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