Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, May 31, 1993 TAG: 9308240751
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A teacher who evidently counseled students against interracial dating was suspended for three days. Joseph Spagnolo, Virginia's superintendent of public instruction, judged this an appropriate response.
Further, the state Education Department found no clear wrongdoing in a separate incident involving an allegation that a student had referred to a black teacher with a racial slur. That, also, was in line with the school system's assessment.
Gereau's critics have argued that suspending the teacher, who since has decided to resign, was not a tough enough penalty for her poor judgment. Clearly, the racism apparent in her remarks is inexcusable and to be taken seriously. Clearly, some corrective action was needed.
But school administrators, who have the benefit of viewing a teacher's behavior in the broader context of her overall record, are in the best position to decide what action is appropriate.
And a suspension, even with pay, is no slap on the wrist for a professional educator. It probably was embarrassing, even humiliating.
In any case, more significant than the penalty meted out for her behavior were the positive measures Gereau took in response to the conflict.
He readily accepted an offer by a federal mediator to go into the schools and listen both to concerned parents and school officials. As a result of that mediation, the schools have established a multicultural commission of 20 white and 18 black county residents who are talking about racial problems.
These are the actions of a school administration trying to deal not only with one incident of racial intolerance, but with racial relations throughout the school system and extending into the community.
As Spagnolo noted, "while the school division may not have produced the racially tense environment that appears to be present in this community, that tension has, nonetheless, become a school problem."
In his response to the Education Department's findings, Gereau agreed the schools have a role to play in trying to reduce this tension. His past actions suggest a sincere commitment to try.
A year before the incidents of this past spring, the Franklin County school district held a sensitivity training seminar for employees. Gereau followed that up by hiring a consultant to continue working to build a greater appreciation for diverse cultures and backgrounds.
It is reasonable to commend good-faith efforts while still suggesting that racism is too much in evidence in Franklin County, including in the schools. It's probably for the best that the chastened teacher has resigned. One hopes she'll gain, somehow, a remedial education in tolerance.
by CNB