An employee of the Tuscaloosa City Schools systems resigned Thursday after her comments on social media drew sharp criticism from around the community, the system's board chair Eric Wilson announced in a statement.

In an emailed message to parents and media, Wilson said TCS was made aware of the problematic posts this week and was taking steps required to initiate personnel action when the employee involved elected to resign instead of potentially facing discipline.

 

"TCS does not condone the statements made by this employee. It is committed to the principles of equity for all students," Wilson said. "The Board believes that all students are entitled to a safe school experience in which students can realize their maximum potential and engage fully in the learning process. Tuscaloosa City Schools will take appropriate action to prevent, correct, and where warranted, discipline behavior that violates this practice."

The posts, made to the employee's Facebook page, belittled the Black Lives Matter movement amid national unrest in the wake of the death of George Floyd, a black man killed during his arrest in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Outraged Tuscaloosa residents saw the posts and began forwarding them to the school system's social pages and to superintendent Mike Daria, asking if they would condone racially insensitive comments from one of their employees.

Just last week, TCS released a public statement resolving to combat systemic racism and engage in productive dialogue following Floyd's death.

"We know this work is not going to be easy, but we are committed to doing the work," Wilson said Thursday. "I ask that you join with us to create a brighter tomorrow for all students and our community. Conversations of this nature are not easy, but they are necessary and we are willing to listen."

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