A Charlotte-Mecklenburg School board member is under fire for sharing a political post on Facebook.
The post included references to Nazis, Democrats, slaves and President Donald Trump.
Republican Paul Bailey has represented the southern suburbs for CMS for four years.
He isn't running for re-election this year but he is running for mayor of Matthews.
"I don't think he's going to get there making comments like that. You're not bringing people to together. We need someone who will bring people together" said CMS parent Debora John.
On Tuesday night, Bailey publicly apologized for hurting many of the people he wants to represent.
"Yesterday I shared a post on Facebook that has offended many of you," Bailey said.
A representative for Bailey said the caption of the post said, "Black people who were never slaves are fighting white people who were never Nazis over a Confederate statue erected by Democrats because Democrats can't stand their own history anymore and somehow it's Trump's fault?"
The representative confirmed the internet meme pictured a white girl shrugging.
"That's something you would see somebody like a teenager post without thinking twice," CMS parent Inna Sen said.
Some parents said it's a divisive post that downplays the racial tensions rocking the nation.
"That's not funny any which way you look at it. There's stuff that's funny maybe at like 10 o'clock at night that would never be a good idea to say ever," CMS mother Samantha Post said.
Bailey delivered what he called a heartfelt and sincere apology during Tuesday's Board of Education meeting.
"As a leader in our school district I must maintain the level of respect and kindness that parents and staff expect from our leadership," he said.
"Did the apology change anything for you all?" Channel 9 reporter Mark Barber asked Matthews voter Paul Mcavoy.
"Eh. Probably just changed things for him," he responded.
A representative for Bailey tells Channel 9 he doesn't think the controversy will scare any voters away.
He said Bailey has worked for the community for more than 20 years and he doesn't think people will forget that because of one Facebook post.
Superintendent Clayton Wilcox isn't addressing the controversy.
However, he did release a separate statement Tuesday to staff and students, condemning the violence during a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville.
The following is superintendent Clayton Wilcox's statement:
To: Parents, guardians, caregivers and the CMS Team:
The events in Charlottesville, Va., have been particularly unsettling and have raised a national conversation that must be addressed. The racism and violence must be condemned in the strongest terms. As the new superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, I have struggled to find the right words to speak to some of the saddest days in our nation's recent history.
As we approach the opening of school, I want you to know that as your superintendent I will not and do not tolerate hateful words or actions, bigotry or any form of racist behavior in our classrooms, schools or on our grounds. There simply is no place for it. We have to be -- and we are -- better than that. Our work is educating our students, building a stronger and more vibrant community, building understanding and acting with a sense of positive energy focused on the future of our young people.
Our children and young people are watching and listening to all of those around them -- school leaders, teachers, parents, caregivers and elected officials -- to see how we react to these events. My colleagues and the entire CMS team have been working hard all summer to ensure that students return to a welcoming, safe environment and that our teachers have resources to provide great classroom instruction and address difficult issues affecting our students and our classrooms.
As you have discussions at home and in school in the days ahead, I would like to share some resources from the National Association of School Psychologists that our staff members will use to guide their work:
- Social Justice
- School Safety and Crisis
- A Framework for Safe and Successful Schools
As our students return to school on Aug. 28, all of us who are privileged to serve your families and children will follow the guidelines set forth in our policies and regulations on teaching and addressing difficult issues. We will remain sensitive to the diverse makeup of classrooms. We will respect age appropriateness and family values and the role of parents and guardians as children's first and best teachers. We certainly will recognize that individual students' exposure to hateful words and actions may vary widely and we do not want to create an issue where none exists.
However, I also want you and your children to know that I stand firm in my resolve to address hateful behaviors or speech, or racism in any form, in our schools. Team CMS will stand up for and protect each and every child in our care and I hope you will stand with us in the days ahead.
Thank you for your ongoing support in ensuring that our students feel safe, respected and protected in their time with us each and every day.
Respectfully offered,
Clayton M. Wilcox
Cox Media Group
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