By Michael Zennie Speaking out: Principal Amy Lacey has defended herself after her comments cause an uproar A Texas principal who sparked national controversy after she told students at her heavily-Hispanic middle school to speak English in class claims she is being persecuted for following state education rules. Amy Lacey, who was fired as principal of Hempstead Middle School outside Houston in March, says that contrary to reports from students and teacher at her school, she never banned Spanish from campus when she made a school-wide announcement on the intercom last November. 'I informed students it would be best to speak English in the classrooms to the extent possible, in order to help prepare them for (state) tests,' she wrote in a letter to the Houston Chronicle.
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Amy Lacey is speaking out for the first time since her announcement over an intercom last November became national news
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She says she never banned Spanish, but just suggested Hispanic students should speak English at school to help prepare them for tests
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Half of students at the school are Hispanic
She added: 'It is important to note that I did not ban the use of @placeholder anywhere in the school or at any time.'