Parents angered over Waterbury teacher's alleged racist remark
WATERBURY, CT (WFSB) -
Parents and the NAACP spoke out Thursday night during a Board of Education meeting in Waterbury after hearing a teacher referred to a student as a "black boy".
The math teacher, Kathleen Pyles, has been placed on paid administrative leave after accusations surfaced that she made the racist remark to the student.
However, many feel further action is needed against the teacher.
"It's not acceptable. I think they should let her go, we can't accept this from anybody," Helen Taylor said.
Parents felt if Pyles could not remember the student's name, there are several other ways she could have addressed him.
"She doesn't seem like a racist," said Wendaliz Hernandez. "She was nice."
Hernandez, an eighth grader at the school, was surprised to hear about the alleged comment, although she said she wouldn't like it if she was referred to by the color of her skin.
"I don't know what she said to him, but just don't be racist," she said.
Officials at the North End Middle School said a parent filed a complaint after learning of the incident.
"We wish to assure parents that we take this allegation very seriously," said Waterbury Public Schools COO Paul F. Guidone. "We do not tolerate or condone the claimed behavior from our staff, and if the allegation of making racist remarks is proven true, the district will take appropriate action."
North End Middle School officials said the teacher would remain on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
School officials said Pyles has only been at the school about a year and before that was in Kentucky.
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