Privileged and Confidential Investigation of the Use of Racial Slurs at Pender High School August 12, 2020 Prepared for the Pender County Board of Education PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL Dhamian A. Blue Daniel T. Blue, Jr. www.bluellp.com 205 FAYETTEVILLE STREET, SUITE 300 RALEIGH, NC 27601 (919) 833-1931 Agenda Overview Investigative Plan Findings of Fact Conclusions Questions BLUE LLP Overview •  On June 12, 2020, the Board engaged us to investigate the use of racial slurs at Pender High School. •  Investigation prompted by a teacher’s social media posting that contained two documents with images containing the word “nigger.” Overview I 0 0 g. ?u f? Ray Hankins ?ll 3 mins - 6 It has always been a hush hush environment to work in, not anymore. Who am to keep quiet? The people would love to hear your excuses. Pender County Schools 21 [15 Like C) Comment Share C) Comment ummlmu-u-m-u "Hm ??bmh??ll hq? ONFIDENTIAL I I I BLUE LLP Investigative Plan •  Define Scope of Investigation •  Identify Applicable Law •  Additional Preliminary Steps to Begin Investigation •  Conduct Witness Interviews •  Draft and Finalize Report Findings of Fact •  Principal Caroline Godwin wrote “niggers” in the margin of her notes in October 2018. •  Notes were taken during the investigation of a large fight. •  Godwin wrote the notes because a student continued to refer to his friends who had been attacked as “my niggers.” Findings of Fact BLUE LLP Findings of Fact •  Karen McGowen said “nigger” or “nigga” in the presence of students. •  First time was in classroom full of students. •  Second time was moments later in an office with a student present. •  Administration (lead by Shanika Mack) investigated McGowen and issued a Letter of Reprimand Findings of Fact •  Rayford Hankins posted two images on social media websites that contain the word “nigger.” •  He redacted students’ names in both images. •  Denied altering Ms. Godwin’s notes. •  Says that he reported them to someone “above” the school at the county level, but would not identify the individual. •  Knew about the McGowen issue in October 2019. Conclusions •  Ms. Godwin did not violate the Standards of Professional Conduct or any Board Policy in writing her notes. •  PCS’s investigation of the circumstances concerning Ms. Godwin’s notes was sufficient. •  Ms. McGowen violated the Standards of Professional Conduct and Board Policy 1710-4021-7230. •  The Administrations investigation of the complaint against Ms. McGowen was not fully compliant with Board Policy 1710-4015-7225. •  Mr. Hankins’ social media posting did not violate Board Policy 7335. [We also note a potential technical violation of Board Policies 1710-4021-7230 and 1720-4015-7225 requiring the mandatory reporting of potential discrimination ] BLUE LLP 205 Foye?r?reville S?rree?r, Sui?re 300 Raleigh, NC 27601