School Board issues stern warning to superintendent

Terry Webster

Friday, Aug. 11, 2000 | 11:06 a.m.

Hours of discussion and a community uproar over a racial slur made by Clark County School Superintendent Carlos Garcia concluded with a scolding by the School Board.

Following a six-hour meeting at the Education Center Thursday, the School Board emerged with a message for Garcia: Don't do it again.

Garcia was further directed by the board to work to improve racial relations within the district.

Two board members told the Sun Garcia should receive a verbal or written reprimand. But after a closed session Thursday, board President Mary Beth Scow said the contents of the session will not be disclosed.

When asked if any disciplinary action was taken, Scow referred to a written statement and said, "That was our action."

The statement reads, "In our closed meeting, we thoroughly discussed the incident. We expressed our concerns as individuals and as a board and also the impact on the district and community. We believe the superintendent understands our concerns and the concerns of the community.

"Accordingly, I move that the board hereby express its disapproval of the use of an inappropriate word and counsel Mr. Garcia to ensure that no such word will ever be repeated and that we move forward with the business of educating our children."

The controversy unfolded after the recent broadcast of a radio talk show program involving Garcia and several black high school students.

During the interview Garcia attempted to oppose racism by saying that "niggers come in all colors."

The debate on the meaning of the word and the appropriateness of Garcia's use of it continued during the meeting.

"I can't believe we are still debating the meaning of the word nigger," Pat Cunningham of the Alliance for Social Justice said.

Others in the audience asserted that Garcia meant no harm by his statement.

A Reseda, Calif., organization, Zillah and Zillah Communications, handed out fliers in the parking lot of the education center that stated the term is and was used to dehumanize blacks.

Garcia, who has apologized repeatedly for his choice of words, said he looks forward to concentrating on the start of the new school year. Before the school board meeting, black and Hispanic community leaders held a press conference in the lobby of the education center.

In addition to agreeing to look past Garcia's comment and work together, the group outlined several potential ways to improve inequities in the school district.

The steps include an audit of inequities in the district, a plan to assure that minority children are educated at the same rate, the hiring of more minorities, diversity training and the appointment of a panel on racism.

Participants included Assemblyman Wendell Williams, D-Las Vegas; Clark County Commissioner Dario Herrera, Louis Overstreet of the Urban Chamber of Commerce, Mujahid Ramadan of the National Conference for Community and Justice, Gary Peck of the American Civil Liberties Union, the Las Vegas Interfaith Council for Worker Justice and Cunningham.