Less than a week after Buford City Schools Superintendent Geye Hamby resigned amid allegations he used racial slurs and threatened violence against black construction employees who were working on a project for the district, the Gwinnett County branch of the NAACP is seeking to investigate his discipline practices.
“The citizens of the city of Buford, Gwinnett County and nationally have been shocked with Hamby’s apparent hatred of black people,” the organization said in a written statement released Thursday.
Credit: Photo: Buford City School District
Credit: Photo: Buford City School District
The press release went on to add that the Gwinnett NAACP is seeking clarity and additional information and is calling for an open investigation.
Among the items it is seeking:
• A review to see if there are civil rights violations in Hamby’s record of disciplinary actions against employees, parents and students;
• A review of policies and procedures enacted by the City of Buford Schools under Hamby’s tenure;
• If violations exist, steps taken so those harmed are “made whole.”
Evidence in a race-discrimination lawsuit filed by former school paraprofessional Mary Ingram and made public last week included recorded conversations of someone alleged to be Hamby.
At a school board meeting Monday, all board members said they hadn’t known about the recordings until a week earlier. When asked why it took so long to act and why Hamby was allowed to resign instead of being fired, board chairman Phillip Beard said they had to follow legal procedures.
The NAACP statement went on to add that it is concerned that isn’t an isolated case and that perhaps others have been victimized by Hamby.
“Mr. Hamby’s comments demonstrate racial hatred and bigotry and the Buford City School System will be held accountable if other victims step forward with similar experiences as Ms. Ingram,” said Gwinnett County NAACP President Penny Poole.
Buford City Schools administrators could not be reached for comment.
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