A Cincinnati teacher, suspended indefinitely without pay a week ago after making racially insensitive remarks, has not yet requested a hearing to contest the matter, and the head of the Cincinnati NAACP said Monday that he's very interested in the outcome.
In early December an African-American student told his science teacher, Gil Voigt of Fairfield Freshman School, that he would like to become president.
Voigt, who is white, is accused of telling him, "We do not need another black president."
The incident occurred Dec. 3, and other students present corroborated the student's version of events, according to a report from Assistant Superintendent Roger Martin of the Fairfield City School District north of Cincinnati, who conducted a disciplinary inquiry on the matter.
The 60-year-old teacher faces the prospect of dismissal for his remarks. He has not responded to repeated messages from The Cincinnati Enquirer seeking comment.
"I was extremely offended by his remark, and that is putting it mildly," said Ishton Morton, president of Cincinnati's NAACP chapter. "We are extremely interested in knowing what will happen to the teacher."
Other incidents from years ago, including another racist comment, should have been dealt with more aggressively.
But rules in the district's labor contract hampered such action, said Balena Shorter, Fairfield's only black school board member.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/30/teacher-racism-suspension/4251775/