Some Bloomington parents are upset after their kids came home with what they describe as a racially-charged letter from Jackson Creek Middle School's principal.
Jackson Creek Middle School Principal Dr. David Pillar sent a letter home with 27 middle school boys last week. All of the students were black or bi-racial.
The letter outlined a new program aimed at improving character, citizenship and academics.
It reads, "our black males score lower on standardized tests and have higher discipline referrals than their peers."
"To say I was shocked probably would be an understatement," says Nicole Daniels' whose son is a 7th grader at Jackson Creek. "The program should have been offered to all the children that really need it regardless of race."
Daniels says her son is on the football team, his test scores are average or above and he's never been in trouble at Jackson Creek.
Andrew Clampitt, spokesperson for the Monroe County Community School Corporation, says the program shouldn't be exclusive.
"It should be great for all students which ultimately the program was developed to be for all students and certainly that was Dr. Pillar's end goal, however misguided it started as," Clampitt says.
The school corporation says the principal sent a letter apologizing to students who were affected.