The unexpected appearance of the father of communism in a school yearbook stirred some controversy among students and parents.

In a photo collage featuring current South Whidbey High School students in the sophomore section of the yearbook, a portrait of Karl Marx appears with no caption or explanation. Last week, Principal John Patton sent a letter apologizing for the oversight and for “any concern or frustration this error may have caused.”

Students were provided a cover upon request.

Recent graduate Aryeh Rohde found the inclusion of the German philosopher suspicious. Rohde, a libertarian activist, told a Seattle radio station that his senior photo was omitted from the yearbook. He told station 770 KTTH he had turned in the photo on time.

In the letter, Patton said multiple senior pictures weren’t submitted by the deadline and thus not included.

“There is no relationship whatsoever between the inappropriate picture printed in the Sophomore section (page 99) and unsubmitted senior portraits,” Patton wrote.

Patton and Superintendent Jo Moccia did not wish to comment further.

Rohde could not be reached for comment by press time.