MADISON COUNTY, FL — Madison County School Board takes no action after 2 teachers are accused of using racial slurs in class. Special meeting set for March 9th.
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Community members packed the high school gym Monday night, demanding accountability after two teachers were accused of using racial slurs in separate classroom incidents.
The Madison County School Board meeting drew a standing-room crowd, with bleachers filled by community members who spoke passionately during public comment. The discussion centered on two viral Facebook posts detailing the separate incidents.
One incident involves a student who says a history teacher used the N-word in class. A second teacher is accused of using a racial slur in a different classroom.
Board members said they were not informed about the initial investigation and did not know the teacher had returned to the classroom. They said the proper process was not followed.
Superintendent Dr. Karen Pickles disagreed, saying both teachers are entitled to due process.
"It's not something that can be done in just a matter of days, it's things that take time," Pickles said.
Parent Sedrick Revels, whose daughter was in the history class, said the teachers should be removed. Revels said he met privately with the teacher but was unable to reach a resolution.
"I sat one-on-one with that guy, no matter what I tried to say. Try to get him to understand the impact and the meaning and how derogatory and demeaning that word was I could not get him to understand he stood on the fact that he was gonna continue to stay that in his history class, so I walked away with no resolution, and that's why we was here today," Revels said.
Faith leaders and community organizations, including the NAACP, called for stronger discipline and greater transparency.
Tallahassee NAACP President Marlon Williams Clark said no student should be exposed to that kind of language in school.
"No students should have to be subjected to teachers using a racial slur that has such historical violence connected to it because every child should feel safe in school," Williams Clark said.
Lloyd Peterson, the father of one of the accused teachers, spoke in defense of his son, Zachary Peterson, during public comment.
"I'm the father of Zachary Peterson. There are a few things that you need to know about Zachary," Peterson said.
The board took no formal action on either incident. A special meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 9, to discuss the investigation results and next steps. Community members said they will continue showing up until they see accountability.
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