Teacher who allegedly used racial slurs is reassigned

A White teacher at a New York public-school who allegedly called her students "niggers" has been removed from her teaching post and is working in the school district's office while the school board decides her fate.

Rita Altman, who taught library classes at New York City Public School 80 in Queens, allegedly called a fifth-grade student a "fat nigger," according to the New York Daily News. Altman then turned to several other students and said, "You're all a bunch of niggers."

The incident allegedly occurred in November, but wasn't reported to the principal until December. Parents at the school threatened to protest if Altman wasn't removed.

The investigation of the case was turned over to the school board, which had not made a decision at JET press time. Board President Shirley Huntley said in the Daily News that the board members needed extra time to review reports of the incident.

Altman has refused to comment on the case, but the district's superintendent Raqeh Nagi said Altman "totally denies" the allegation.