School district fires teacher's aide Jane Wood Allen over racist posts about First Lady

Oct 3, 2016 - 21:34
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School district fires teacher's aide Jane Wood Allen over racist posts about First Lady
Jane Wood Allen

- The Forsyth County School System has terminated a teacher's aide Monday who apparently posted racist comments on her personal Facebook page about First Lady Michelle Obama.

The firing comes after a public outcry about the comments posted by educator Jane Wood Allen.

In a statement released on Monday, officials made the following statement about Jane Wood Allen of Chestatee Elementary School:

Effective Monday, October 3, 2016, Jane Wood Allen has been relieved from duty and is no longer an employee of Forsyth County Schools. Racism and discrimination are not tolerated in our school district. We are committed to ongoing staff training on the acceptance of all individuals. As this is a personnel matter, the district will provide no further comment.

Allen posted on her Facebook page inflammatory comments about the First Lady while sharing articles about Mrs. Obama, according to screenshots shared on the social media site.

Allen worked as a paraprofessional, or teacher's aide, at Chestatee Elementary School.

In a statement Friday, District Communications Director Jennifer Caracciolo said, ”"We were made aware of the posts Friday moing. Our schools were closed for fall break last week. We have and will continue to address this issue with the employee on Monday. Racism and discrimination are not tolerated in Forsyth County Schools."

The posts on Allen's Facebook profile were later removed.

One post referred to the First Lady as a ”poor Gorilla."

A group upset with the posting had started their own Facebook page, entitled ”Chestatee Elementary School Fire Jane Wood Allen, NOW.

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.