Teacher resigns after slur alleged
Two public school employees are alleged to have used racial epithet
NORWALK — The city’s public schools have accepted the resignation of at least one teacher investigated for using a racial epithet in the classroom.
Superintendent Alexandra Estrella and Norwalk Board of Education Chair Colin Hosten revealed in a joint statement Tuesday that two teachers are alleged to have used that language. They condemned “any use of racial epithets by Norwalk Public Schools staff members,” regardless of context or intention, the statement read.
The district determined after separate investigations into each incident that “the two situations were different,” according to the statement. The names of the two individuals were not revealed.
“In both cases, we took swift action, and in one case, accepted an employee’s resignation,” the statement said.
The statement emphasized several times that “staff members who use racial epithets at any time and in any matter will be subject to serious disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.”
Norwalk Public Schools became aware of the “concerning allegations” of racially insensitive language at Nathan Hale Middle School early last week, according to a statement posted on the district’s Facebook on Sunday. An employee was immediately placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the alleged misconduct.
The district did not clarify if the employee placed on administrative leave is the same employee who resigned.
“Although we consider personnel matters to be confidential, we take this opportunity to be clear that we have zero tolerance for racial insensitivity and take seriously our responsibility and commitment to maintaining an environment in which everyone feels welcome,” Sunday’s statement said.
The district continues to provide racial sensitivity training for students and staff, and recent events “impel us to redouble our efforts,” according to the statement.
Norwalk NAACP President Brenda Penn-Williams issued a press release last week demanding answers from the school district about the use of racially insensitive language by school employees. The release referred to two incidents, the most recent on Nov. 30, when a teacher allegedly used a racial epithet while “students implored the teacher to refrain” from using the word.
The NAACP also accused the district of being “quick to weigh in on students and impose discipline on them even in sketchy or insignificant actions or activity, and particularly in the case of black and brown students,” while being “very reluctant to impose discipline on teachers when they clearly engaged in inappropriate and unacceptable behavior.”
The police department is reviewing one of the incidents to see if it rises to the level of a bias crime, according to Mayor Harry Rilling. Whether criminal charges are brought or not, he said Tuesday that a teacher who would use racist language should not be in a classroom.
“Racism has no place in our society and definitely not in our school system,” Rilling said. “That one of our teachers would feel comfortable using racist language in their classroom in front of students is deeply troubling. I am sorry that our students were subjected to this incident.”
The Common Council also released a statement Tuesday reaffirming its “belief in the dignity of each of its residents and the expectation that every city employee will treat every resident with respect at all times. This includes an obligation not to use hate speech, racial slurs or any form of derogatory language about any group of people.”