Vegas Schools Chief Chastised Over Racial Slur

LAS VEGAS —  Saying that they appreciate apologies from their new schools chief for his use of a highly charged racial slur in a recent radio interview, district trustees have issued a mild reprimand to Supt. Carlos Garcia.

The Clark County school board unanimously expressed its disapproval late Thursday of his use of an epithet directed at African Americans and counseled him “to ensure that no such word will ever be repeated.”

Garcia, who took over as superintendent July 7, was also directed to “work toward improving racial relations within the district.”

The board’s public vote followed a 90-minute closed-door session, the first discussion by trustees about the incident. Although Garcia used the word to illustrate his opposition to racism, many in the community were outraged and some called for his dismissal.

After the private session, which Garcia attended, board Chairwoman Mary Beth Scow said trustees “expressed our concerns as individuals and as a board and also the impact on the district and the community.”

“We believe the superintendent understands our concerns and the concerns of the community,” she said in a statement.

Gene Collins, president of the local NAACP chapter--whose leaders met with Garcia earlier in the week--said Friday: “We’re satisfied at this point.”