School board condemns essay on Holocaust’s truth

The school board of a Southern California district where students were told to write an essay on whether they believe the Holocaust really happened has called the assignment “horribly inappropriate.”

The San Bernardino Sun says Rialto Unified School Board president Joanne Gilbert read the remarks in a statement at a packed public meeting Wednesday night, where the board said it took “full responsibility” for the assignment given to eighth graders.

The district had already withdrawn the assignment and called it an error, but went further after a public comment session where Jewish groups, tolerance organizations and community leaders denounced the assignment.

Gilbert said eighth graders will undergo sensitivity training at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, and several other policy changes will be implemented.