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Solvejg Wastvedt

St. Paul teacher put on leave after controversial Facebook post

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The Como Park High School teacher who drew criticism from Black Lives Matter was put on paid leave Wednesday.

Theodore Olson complained on Facebook that schools' policies designed to limit suspensions are undermining adult authority and said teachers are unfairly blamed for the so-called "school to prison pipeline".

Black Lives Matter St. Paul leader Rashad Turner called the posts racist and threatened to shut down Como High School in response. Turner met with district leaders Monday and no shut-down took place.

St. Paul school officials wouldn't say why or how long Olson will be on leave. Turner called the move a "great first step".

"Although Mr. Olson is only one individual, his mindset is shared by several of his colleagues at (Como Park) and across the district and state," Turner said in a statement.