Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for November 23, 2007 STUPID IS...

...as stupid does!

Racial remark results in staff resignation

By Eric Fodor, Staff Writer

HARRISBURG - A racially charged remark by an aide in the Harrisburg School District resulted in the employee's resignation and expressions of concern by the small child's mother.

An aide at West Side School, not identified by school officials, recently resigned after Superintendent Dennis Smith confronted the aide about a bigoted remark made in front of a black child.

"There was an inappropriate remark made by an employee, and the employee no longer works here," Smith said.

Shirley Hamilton, mother of the 6-year-old child, told the Daily Register the aide said she was "sweating like a (the N word) in an election" in front of pupils.

Hamilton said West Side Principal Scott Dewar did not act fast enough in dealing with the situation. Hamilton called Dewar after hearing about the remark from her son. She then called the Rev. Ownly Willams, pastor of Harvest Deliverance Center, who checked into the matter and thought the incident was handled appropriately by school officials.

"I was very upset. I thought Mr. Dewar let me down because I thought he didn't take me seriously," Hamilton said.

Dewar said he is not able to talk much about the incident.

"As far as I am concerned, the matter has been resolved and due to the privacy of all involved, I can't say much more about it," Dewar said this morning.

Williams contacted Dewar about the incident a few days after Hamilton first called the principal, Hamilton said. Dewar then called Smith, who immediately confronted the aide. The aide admitted the incident took place, Smith said.

"I sent the employee home immediately," Smith said. "And she subsequently resigned."

Hamilton found herself in an uncomfortable position -- having to explain words to her young son.

"My son is asking questions I don't know how to answer," Hamilton said.

Hamilton spoke to board members in closed session at the regular meeting Tuesday. Board members and Smith apologized to Hamilton about the incident, she said.

"I hope (Hamilton) judges us not by what happened, but how we reacted to it," Smith said.

Williams said he is glad the issue was handled.

"I am just pleased that the situation was taken care of," Williams said.

"The school should do whatever they need to do to head these problems off."