U. Darby moves to fire teacher in racially charged video
UPPER DARBY >> Upper Darby Schools Superintendent Dan McGarry will recommend the firing of a district teacher caught on camera last week going on a racially charged rant against a parent.
McGarry announced Monday evening the disciplinary action he will present to the school board against Drexel Hill Middle School teacher Renee Greeley after the Oct. 10 incident made international news. She apparently accosting an African-American parent with racial epithets after the two had a fender bender in the school parking lot. The parent taped the incident and it went viral on social media.
While the parent who was accosted thanked the district Thursday for its swift action thus far, McGarry said the district has had to field many messages and inquiries from the community and media why Greeley has not yet been fired for her alleged actions.
“There is a legal process we must follow, and the teacher does have due process rights. My recommendation to the board is for termination,” read McGarry’s statement. “The teacher may elect to resign, go to arbitration, or request a formal hearing in front of the board of school directors. We are following the legal process. I want to make it clear that we do not condone or support the comments or actions of the teacher in question.”
The board has yet to confirm that the teacher in question is Greeley, but her identity in the video was confirmed by another now-former employer elsewhere.
In the video that lasts just over 90 seconds Greeley is seen arguing with the parent after a supposed minor accident between their vehicles on the morning of Oct. 10. At different points throughout the video, Greeley, a white woman, allegedly says the parent is on welfare and should “go back to your section 8 house.”
Later on, she allegedly tells the parent “F—- off, n——-.”
Building and district administrators were made aware of the incident that morning. The district said an informal hearing was had with Greeley that day.
“I do not want this incident to define who we are. Instead, I would like for all of us to use this unfortunate incident as a teaching tool to authentically reflect on the harm caused by such hurtful words and actions,” said McGarry. “We should turn our attention on having productive conversations with one another, with our children, and with our neighbors about being inclusive and respectful of one another. We need to discuss what this really means and looks like.
“People are watching how we respond to this. Our diversity is beautiful, and it is a source of pride. It is our strength and should unify us, not divide us.”
Melanie Masciantonio, president of the Upper Darby Education Association, could not comment on the matter Monday because it is a personnel issue.
Greeley has been on administrative leave without pay since Thursday.