By Michael D. Clark—Oct 18, 2016
The Butler County teacher accused of making a racist comment to a student has also been cited for other remarks, according to records exclusively obtained Tuesday by the Journal-News. Butler Tech teacher Katherine Klimach is suspended and on paid administrative leave following her comment to a student at Fairfield High School.
The incident earlier this month was caught on a student’s mobile phone video obtained by the Journal-News’ partner WCPO TV.
On the video, Klimach, who was teaching a Butler Tech class on Family and Consumer Science at Fairfield High School, is heard telling a Chinese-American student: “We’re waiting for it to come on. You broke it already. What’s wrong with you? You Chinese are supposed to make computers, and you’re breaking them instead.”
Butler Tech officials said Klimach has expressed remorse for the statement.
“Butler Tech immediately took action upon hearing the serious nature of the complaints against this teacher. The teacher was placed on leave, pending investigation of the claims.
“As a result of the investigation, the teacher must complete cultural sensitivity training and was disciplined. The teacher has expressed remorse about the situation and is actively working on a course of self-improvement,” said officials.
Klimach, a veteran teacher who has worked for public school districts in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky since the late 1990s, could not be reached for comment.
According to personnel documents obtained from Butler Tech through a Journal-News’ public records request, Klimach was also cited for other comments toward her students.
In an Oct. 14 letter to Klimach from Butler Tech Executive Director of Human Resources Marni Durham, Butler Tech officials stated the teacher was accused of telling a minority teen who asked a question without raising their hand: “That’s not how we do things in our country.”
Read more at the Dayton Daily News.
