 George Parker, president of the teachers union, called Rhee's statements "reckless," said they had no factual basis, and demanded that Rhee apologize to the 266 teachers for making these remarks.Rhee declined to apologize for her statement, claimed that one of the 266 dismissed employees had been accused of sexual misconduct, six had been suspended for using corporal punishment, and two had been absent without leave, while many others also had egregious time and attendance records.The 2010 mayoral election in Washington, D.C., was interpreted by some political observers as, in part, a referendum on Rhee's tenure as school chancellor.