Pender County Schools release racial slur investigation results

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Just before 5:00 on Wednesday afternoon, Pender County Schools released the results of the investigation into the use of racial slurs at Pender High School.

In June, Pender County Schools hired law firm Blue LLC out of Raleigh to conduct an independent investigation into whether the comments were made and the circumstances surrounding the comments.

The investigation determined that one out of three separate incidents violated the district’s Standards of Professional Conduct and Board Policy. The final report is 62 pages long.

One concerns Pender High School Principal Caroline Godwin, who wrote the n-word on her notes in 2018. The investigation determined these notes were taken after a fight, and that the racial slur was how the student involved described his friends.

The second incident involved Pender High School teacher Karen McGowen, who said the n-word in front of students on two separate occasions. After an investigation by the school system it was determined McGowan said the word while asking a student to stop using it.

She was reprimanded, however Blue LLC’s investigation show’s McGowen refused to sign the reprimand letter. Pender County NAACP president Dante Murphy reacted to this Wednesday night.

“That almost hinges on insubordination,” Murphy said. “So I’m wondering how does this board retain educators and administrators who are known to have violated serious policy.”

The report shows McGowen violated the Standards of Professional Conduct and Board Policy as well as the Prohibition Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying. It also shows the investigation of the complaint against her was not fully compliant with Board Policy because the student who made the allegations was not interviewed.

“I’m hoping this student and this mother does come forth, because I think these allegations have been ignored,” Murphy said. “And I think it’s so serious that the school system should be sued.”

Pender County Schools has not commented on the report since its release. Board of Education Chair Don Hall addressed it Tuesday night after the board voted to make it public.

“The report has been done and that will be up to the public to decide by looking at it,” Hall said. “I mean, we’re finished with it, the report is done.”

However Murphy is not satisfied with Hall’s comments and believes additional action is needed.

“My god, we’re talking about harassment, bullying, failing to properly investigate, and he’s going to let the public form their opinion about the report,” Murphy said. “Don Hall needs to resign tonight!”

The third incident involved men’s basketball coach Rayford Hankins, who posted on social media attempting to bring the first two incidents to light. It was determined that his posting did not violate policy.