INDIANOLA, IOWA: An Iowa school district has issued an apology after featuring a quote from Heinrich Himmler, a high-ranking Nazi responsible for architecting the Holocaust, in its morning announcements for students.
The Indianola Community School District faced severe backlash, leading Superintendent Ted Ihns to apologize to students and their families.
The offending quote, "My honor is my loyalty," was used as part of the school's 'Respect quote of the day' in an email sent to students and parents on November 20.
Unbeknownst to the staff member responsible, this phrase was originally a motto in Nazi Germany used by the Schutzstaffel (SS), the paramilitary group of the Nazi Party, demonstrating loyalty to Adolf Hitler.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of a surge in antisemitic incidents observed on campuses across the United States following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Himmler, who led the Nazi SS during World War II, was a central figure in the Holocaust's planning and execution.
Swift backlash and apology
Parents shared the concerning email with KCCI, prompting the school district to issue a swift apology.
Superintendent Ihns acknowledged the oversight, stating, "This morning (Nov. 20), an administrative staff member accidentally posted a Respect Quote of the Day before checking the source of the quote," he said.
He added, "I first want to apologize for the oversight. While it was completely unintentional, I understand that some of those who saw the quote and realized the source were offended."
"Moving forward, we will implement a new process for our Respect Quote of the Day to be sure that we are double-checking all sources and ensuring the quotes are appropriate for our students," Ihns said.
However, details about the specific changes or the staff member responsible for the error were not disclosed.
The incident comes in the wake of increased scrutiny on schools for issues related to antisemitism and Islamophobia.
The US Department of Education launched investigations into several educational institutions, including the Maize Unified School District in Kansas, Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, Cornell University in New York, Columbia University in New York, Wellesley College in Massachusetts, The Cooper Union in New York, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Commitment to aggressive action
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona emphasized the Biden administration's commitment to taking "aggressive action" against discrimination.
Schools found in violation of civil rights laws during these investigations could face penalties, including a complete loss of federal funding.
Cardona stated unequivocally, "Hate has no place in our schools, period. When students are targeted because they are—or are perceived to be—Jewish, Muslim, Arab, Sikh, or any other ethnicity or shared ancestry, schools must act to ensure safe and inclusive educational environments where everyone is free to learn."
The ongoing investigations aim to address complaints of discrimination, including those based on religion or ethnicity.
As tensions rise globally due to the conflict in the Middle East, campuses have experienced heightened sensitivity and incidents related to the war. The Anti-Defamation League reported a staggering 832 incidents of antisemitic assault, vandalism, and harassment between October 7 and November 7, with a nearly 400 percent spike in the US during October.
The Department of Education will reportedly release updated lists of investigations each week as part of its efforts to ensure a safer and more inclusive educational landscape. The outcomes of these investigations will lead to recommendations for the respective institutes involved.
More about Ted Ihns
Ted Ihns serves as the Superintendent of the Indianola Community School District.
Before assuming the position in Indianola, he held various administrative roles, including Superintendent at Howard-Winneshiek Community Schools in Cresco, IA, Elementary Principal in Inver Grove Heights, MN, Associate Principal in Roseville, MN, and Assistant Principal and Dean of Students in Farmington, MN.
Before transitioning to administration, Ted dedicated 12 years to K-12 Physical Education Teaching in school districts across Iowa and Minnesota.
Additionally, he actively contributed as a coach and advisor in various capacities, including football, basketball, baseball, student council, Junior Class, and Peer Mediator sponsor, spanning urban, suburban, and rural school districts.
Ted earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Concordia University St Paul. He then obtained a Master of Science Degree in Educational Leadership, coupled with K-12 Principal and Superintendent Licenses from Winona State University. Ted has been married to his wife Pam for 27 years. Together, they have four children and are proud grandparents to a granddaughter.
