Mt. Pleasant HS administrator on leave after asking for funds to help student pay a 'coyote'

A Mount Pleasant High School assistant principal is on paid leave after sending an email soliciting funds for a student who immigrated to the U.S.

In her email to school staff sent Thursday and obtained by The Providence Journal, Stefani Harvey said there is a "student who came to America with 'Coyote,' which is a group that helps people." Stefani added: "This group gives you a time frame to make a payment of $5,000 dollars to those who bring them into the states."

Though not made clear in Harvey's description, the term "coyote" is typically used to refer to a person who smuggles immigrants across the U.S.-Mexico border. "Coyotes" may also work as a group.

Stefani said in her email that the student needed $2,000 to meet a $5,000 goal by Tuesday.

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Providence Public School District spokesman Nick Domings, who confirmed that the email was sent to Mount Pleasant staff, said Principal Tiffany Delaney then sent an email to staff directing them not to donate, telling them any donations would be refunded, and stating Harvey's email was inappropriate.

"The school’s principal immediately took steps to have a retraction issued when she learned of the email and the Providence Public School District is now investigating," Domings said. "We will not be commenting further on ongoing personnel matters to ensure the proper processes can take place."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Mt. Pleasant High School administrator sends email asking for help to pay a 'coyote'