RuPaul Rodman and OJ Simspon Questionable Black Role Models

The principal of a south Los Angeles elementary school is apologizing to parents for allowing students to carry photos of RuPaul, O.J. Simpson, and Dennis Rodman in a parade celebrating Black History Month.

"Unfortunately, questionable decisions were made in the selection of noteworthy African-American role models," Lorraine Abner wrote Thursday in a letter sent to parents of students at Wadsworth Avenue Elementary School. "As the principal, I offer my apology for these errors in judgment."

The photos of RuPaul, Simpson, and Rodman were mixed in among pictures of more traditional role models including President Barack Obama and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Three teachers were suspended for three days without pay and are now on paid administrative leave while the Los Angeles Unified School District investigates the incident, district spokeswoman Gayle Pollard-Terry told the Los Angeles Times. The teachers, all men, have first-, second-, and fourth-grade classes.

Simpson is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence for robbery and kidnapping in Nevada. In 1995 he was acquitted of killing his ex-wife and her friend. RuPaul is a drag queen and host of RuPaul's Drag Race while Rodman has gained notoriety for his bad-boy behavior.

The district is investigating "why the teachers believed these were appropriate instructional choices for first-, second- and fourth-graders," Pollard-Terry said, She said the principal did not approve the list and is trying to figure out who did.