CUMBERLAND, R.I. (AP) — Three teachers at a Rhode Island charter school have resigned for exchanging disparaging and curse-laden texts about students.

Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy in Cumberland confirmed Wednesday that it had parted ways with the teachers, whose names were not disclosed.

Screenshots of the private chats were leaked and shared online by students.

The messages contained expletives, called students idiots and dumb, and in one, the writer expressed a desire to hit a student.

School Executive Director Jeremy Chiappetta wrote in an open letter that the comments were “deeply disturbing and offensive.”

He says the school is reviewing its policies to “prevent this very tragic thing from happening again.”

The teachers who resigned were trained by Teach for America, and have been suspended by the program.

(Copyright (c) 2024 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to your inbox