Parents considering possible lawsuit following teacher’s alleged use of racial slurs

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — It’s been several months since the Columbus County School District investigated a substitute teacher at Williams Township School for allegedly calling several students racial slurs.

And now, the parents of those students and a civil rights activist say unless the teacher is terminated, they may file a lawsuit against the district.

In February, several middle school students accused a substitute teacher of calling them “monkeys” and “slaves.”

Columbus County Schools investigated the allegations, and parents, including Charniska McCray, believed the teacher was suspended.

But McCray said she later learned the substitute was still working at Williams Township School.

McCray was upset when her daughter told her the teacher had returned.

“I called the school house and the principal had also told me herself that she had spoke with my daughter about having the teacher back and my daughter felt uncomfortable, and she could see that my daughter’s mental state has declined since this situation has happened.” McCray said.

Since then, McCray’s daughter has been taking a bus to another school to avoid any encounters with the substitute teacher at Williams Township.

Civil rights activist John Barnett, who has been advocating for the students since February, criticized the school district for spending taxpayer money instead of addressing the issue.

“The problem is the teacher in the school,” Barnett said. “Why is a student being transported like something from the 60s, transported from one school to another, paid for by the school?”

But not all parents see it the same way.

Morgan Cribb, whose children attend Williams Township, said her child was in the classroom when the incident occurred.

She believes the teacher did nothing wrong and blames Barnett for escalating the situation.

“The substitute told the teacher, told the students to please sit down and stop acting like a bunch of monkeys,” Cribb said. “I didn’t take that offense, I don’t know why anyone would. I think the substitute just made a simple statement that they were jumping around acting crazy and it’s turned into nothing because of this man from Charlotte and it’s caused a lot of drama and trouble at our school.”

Barnett said a letter demanding the teacher’s termination will be delivered to the school district’s attorney at Monday’s board meeting.

If the substitute teacher is not terminated, Barnett said the families involved are considering a civil lawsuit.

WWAY reached out to the school district.

Superintendent Eddie Beck responded, saying, “Because of regulations regarding personnel matters, Columbus County Schools cannot comment.”