APOLOGY: William Latson, Fired Spanish River High Principal, Says Not Holocaust Denier

Watch His Videotaped Apology On BocaNewsNow.com.

BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — In a videotaped message just released by fired Spanish River High School Principal William Latson, the man accused of being a Holocaust denier says he doesn’t deny the Holocaust happened, at all.

“I am not a Holocaust denier. I am sorry that my comments led people to think that.”

Here is a transcript of Latson’s comments. The transcript is computer generated, we apologize for any blatant grammatical issues:

“Hello, I’m Dr. William Latson. I’ve been an educator in Palm Beach County Schools for 26 years, and a high school principal for eight. You may have heard of my case before the Palm Beach County School Board. I would like you to know of the apology that I’ve delivered to the members of the school board on October 20. And which I recorded for this board to play at their meeting held on October 21. Unfortunately, due to procedural rules, my apology was not heard at the board meeting. Therefore, I’m making this video so it can be heard now.”

“Here’s the statement of apology that I issued.”

“It has come to my attention that on Wednesday, October 7, after the Palm Beach County School Board voted to reinstate my employment. My attorney without my knowledge issued a statement. The statement that I make today, this statement is my sincere statement. When I wrote to a parent the 2018 that as an employee of Palm Beach public schools, I could not state that the Holocaust was a historical fact. I was wrong. I apologize to the Palm Beach County community, the school board, the school administration, the parents, students, teachers of Palm Beach County, the Jewish community, and everyone offended or hurt understate. I am not a holocaust denier. I have never been a holocaust denier. I’m sorry that my comments caused people to think that Palm Beach County Public Schools have an exemplary Holocaust education curriculum, which I ensured was taught to every student without exception. While I was the principal of Spanish river High School. I’m sorry that my comments cause people to question that. Some may say this apology comes too late. But I believe it’s never too late to do the right thing. The right thing for me to do is to make this sincere apology. For the trouble my ill considered remarks cause and express gratitude to Judge Robert Cohen for putting aside public and political pressures to follow the law. I hope that the board will accept this apology and that it will also follow the law. Please let stand my reinstatement and assignment to the assessment department, which you previously approved. It I assure everyone that I intend to serve faithfully and honorably to advance the Palm Beach County Public School mission. That concludes the statement of apology that I wanted everyone to hear at the board meeting of October 21. I appreciate people sharing their thoughts with the Palm Beach County School Board. I welcome comments about this apology. Unfortunately, recorded public comments are limited to one minute each. And the deadline for comments is Friday, October 30. But when do you think I should be allowed to continue the career that I love not your opinion will be heard. Please be sure to state your name and your message as anonymous comments are not accepted. The phone number for public comments is 561-684-5103.”

Latson was fired last year after telling a parent that it wasn’t for him to decide — as a school district employee — whether the Holocaust happened or not. An administrative law judge determined that firing was too extreme. The Palm Beach County School Board reversed the firing last month, fearing Latson’s lawsuit would cost the District more than his $160,000 salary. That led to outrage. The Board started to consider rehiring Latson during last week’s meeting but the issue was continued.