Weeks into his new position as Jefferson County Public Schools’ Chief Academic Officer, Nathan Balasubramanian ordered his subordinates to cancel a student theatre production over his own objections to its use of racial slurs, according to emails from a district board member.
The August decision to cancel the production of “Ragtime” by duPont Manual High School’s Youth Performing Arts School prompted a viral social media post and outrage from students, parents, community members and even national celebrities. Within 12 hours, school officials announced a reversal of the decision to students and parents.
The Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting obtained emails from Jefferson County Board of Education board member Linda Duncan that provide a glimpse of dysfunction in the highest ranks of the state’s largest school district under its new leadership. They also raise questions about whether district officials were honest about what actually happened with the “Ragtime” show, how the decision was made, and who was in control. At the time, JCPS’ spokesperson claimed the show had not been cancelled and that the issue was a “miscommunication.”…