CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. (AP) - A union is condemning an effigy of President Barack Obama that was hung upside down by a teacher at a failing Rhode Island high school where he and all his colleagues were fired.

The teachers' union said Thursday that the unidentified teacher has verbally apologized to his students. It also said he has asked Central Falls Superintendent Frances Gallo if he may apologize in writing.

Gallo tells CNN that she discovered the effigy in the teacher's classroom Monday. She says that the Obama doll was about a foot tall and was hung from its feet from a white board.

She says it was holding a sign saying "Fire Central Falls teachers."

Obama had called the firings in Central Falls an example of holding failing schools accountable.