May 5, 2017

Contact: Patrick Widhalm, D.M.A. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Head of School
pwidhalm@bfhsla.org
504-286-2600

Benjamin Franklin High School would like to acknowledge that the administration has begun a full-scale
investigation into the classroom incident that occurred on May 4, 2017, and has put the employee on leave
during the investigation. Even though the employee is a substitute teacher, the responsibility to maintain a
safe educational environment for students is foremost. The investigation will gather information leading up
to the brief video that was posted on social media, and will gain additional first-hand information. With the
investigation underway, we ask the public to respect this process.

As it has been reported, the Head of School held a forum immediately following the incident so that
students could have an open dialogue with the school leadership to express their feelings and experiences.
Franklin is one of the most culturally diverse schools in New Orleans and takes pride in the academic and
social opportunities it provides for all students.

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Benjamin Franklin High School, New Orleans most outstanding public charter school, has been preparing students
for success through academic achievement since it was founded in 1957. Consistently ranked as a top public high
school in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, Newsweek, and Business Week, Franklin has received the
highest School Performance Score in Louisiana, making it the #1 public school in the state, year after year. Franklin
is a four-time recipient of the National Blue Ribbon Award, as well as the National Green Ribbon Award and
produces Presidential and National Merit Scholars each year. The exceptional students, faculty and staff of Benjamin
Franklin High School are the best and the brightest of New Orleans.