DFW area ISD assistant principal removed for children's book featuring Pepe the Frog

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Denton ISD will reassign an assistant principal who sparked controversy when he self-published a children's book featuring Pepe the Frog, a symbol that has been associated with racists. Eric Hauser, author of The Adventures of Pepe and Pede, was removed from his position Monday, Denton ISD said. He was assistant principal of the new Rodriguez Middle School in Oak Point, which will open for students Wednesday. The school district said in a written statement Monday that the administrator and his book "drew controversy to himself and the district."

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Hauser has said he did not realize the frog featured in his conservative-themed book was connected to the so-called alt-right movement until after it was published Aug. 1.

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"The book is the creative property of Mr. Hauser and is not tied with the district, its curriculum or instructional materials -- yet the attention it brought him and the book's implied message has been a distraction to his colleagues across Denton ISD," the statement said. He will be reassigned to a yet-to-be-determined role that will not involve being a campus administrator or educator, the district said.

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"Due to the controversy surrounding the book I have published, I think it's best that I not serve as assistant principal at Rodriguez," Hauser said in the statement. "The students, the community and the teachers are too important to me to subject them to all the negativity and disapproval resulting from this book. To my colleagues, I offer my deepest apologies if this has affected them or their families in any negative way."

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