UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A Union County School Board member has refused to step down despite calls for his resignation after he was accused of making racially insensitive comments to staff members.
On Tuesday night, board vice chairman Gary Sides said fellow member Dennis Rape made unacceptable comments to three district employees last month. The three staffers said Rape made references to skits by comedian Dave Chapelle and other racially insensitive comments.
“I publicly call for his immediate resignation for racially insensitive remarks and unprofessional behavior,” Sides said.
Rape, a retired teacher, was just elected to the school board a year ago.
After a discussion among board members and an outside attorney, Rape denied making the comments and apologized. Rape agreed to go through sensitivity training.
(Dennis Rape)
“I will take whatever advice board members give me privately or publicly and I will work to be a better person," Rape said during the discussion. "I realize it’s a distraction. I’m embarrassed.”
Rape refused to resign. Board member Christina Helms asked him why he apologized if he denies making the comments.
“I don’t know how to address your comments,” Rape said.
After a five-minute recess, all board members except Rape returned to the meeting.
Board chair Melissa Merrell said that the board cannot remove an elected board member. She added that she believes Rape’s alleged comments were intentional.
"As we stayed in open session it did progress to asking for his resignation, but we have not received one, and I don't think it's his intent to resign," Merrell said.
Merrell immediately stripped Rape of working on all Board of Education committees. Additionally, she said Rape does not have permission to go into the district’s central office, into any school or have any conversations with district staff members.
All eight other school board members went on record saying they want Rape to resign.
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