Gwinnett NAACP calls for superintendent’s resignation

Gwinnett branch NAACP President Jorge “J.P.” Portalatin is calling for the ouster of the county’s schools chief and the replacement of board members up for re-election due to what he sees as racial insensitivity.

Gwinnett Schools Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks came under fire last month for comments he made about the disproportionate discipline of minority students in Gwinnett County.

“It is clear that regardless of his record, Superintendent Wilbanks does not possess the cultural competency required for the changing demographics in Gwinnett County nor our future,” Portalatin said in a statement released recently.

Portalatin said school board members who defended Wilbanks’ controversial comments made during an August workshop presentation on school discipline disparity are also part of the problem.

“Mr. Wilbanks should never have made such offensive remarks. But even more troubling, is Mr. Wilbanks’ arrogant condescending attitude and lack of remorse. It is because of his mind-set that I have lost faith in his ability to lead GCPS to the benefit of all children.”

During a speech before the Gwinnett Chamber Wednesday, Wilbanks leaned on his record of service in Gwinnett and rising standardized test scores as proof that he is capable leader committed to providing a quality education for all students.

“I have been an educator for 45 years and have never felt the need to discriminate or to be insensitive to any individual or any group of people,” Wilbanks said during his annual state of the schools talk. “I will not be intimidated by those who are seeking to be offended. I will continue to focus on what unites us— a commitment to educating every child well- not on what divides us.”

The superintendent’s leadership was called into question last month when he made controversial comments during a school board workshop on discipline. An administrator told the school board student discipline is a problem for school districts nationwide except in Idaho, according to a study. Wilbanks then asked the administrator: “Do they have any blacks in Idaho? They don’t have many.”

The statement offended a growing number of parents, teachers and some Idaho residents who discussed it on the Internet.

Portalatin said Wednesday Wilbanks made more “insensitive” remarks during his meeting with the schools chief last month. The NAACP president met with Wilbanks to seek an apology.

“We were talking and I told him his comments were offensive,” Portalatin said. “He told me, ‘Don’t let those people who you represent hijack you for their own personal agenda.’”

The NAACP said he took exception to the statement and explained to the superintendent: “Those people I represent are Gwinnettians including you. The NAACP is a civil rights organization, not a black organization.”

Portalatin said he met with Carole Boyce, chairperson of the Gwinnett Board of Education, next to see what could be done about Wilbanks, the nation’s longest-serving superintendent. He said Boyce supported Wilbanks, something he finds “troublesome.”

“A total of three school board members have publicly expressed their support of him,” Portalatin said in a statement. “Only removing Mr. Wilbanks from his position would not effectuate the needed changes. We need to start from the top with the school board members that are currently running for reelection. For the first time in a long time the community has choices, as all three races are opposed. It is time that we unite as a community and seek fresh new leadership.”

School board members Boyce, Mary Kay Murphy and Louise Radloff are up for re-election in November.

Boyce said Wednesday she was under the impression that her meeting with the NAACP “went well.” She reiterated her support for Wilbanks and said voters should examine her record before they consider removing her. “I think the voters are a very intelligent and informed group. I certainly would encourage them to look for the facts and make the best decision possible.”

Gwinnett Chamber members also voiced their support for Wilbanks.

“I certainly have confidence in Superintendent Wilbanks and in the entire Board of Education,” said Mike Levengood, the group’s vice chair for education and leadership. “I have three boys who have been in the Gwinnett County Public School system. They received a world-class education.”