Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
The Madison County School District recently released the investigative report on a Madison County High School (MCHS) teacher, Leslie Fletcher, who had been accused of saying “the n-word” in front of students. A video recording of Fletcher was posted on social media, resulting in a great deal of attention.
According to the report, the initial incident occurred on Feb. 24, of this year, when students in the Dual Enrollment room of the MCHS Media Center were heard discussing a prior investigation regarding another MCHS teacher who had been accused of using the same word. It was reported that at least one of the students stated Fletcher had used the word in her classroom and that “she would be the ‘next’ to be reported.” Upon hearing this, the librarian sent a text message to Fletcher, informing her of the students’ alleged intent to “get her next.” Fletcher made her way to the Media Center and confronted the students with something to the effect of, “Which one of you in here wanna talk about me saying the word ‘ni - - - -r’ and you gonna get me next?” After Fletcher made that inquiry, one of the students stated she had recorded Fletcher.
Prior to Fletcher’s entrance into the room, two School Resource Officers from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) were present to address concerns over the loud conversation among the students. One of the officers, William Bennett, provided a written statement as part of the investigation. In his statement, Bennett recalled that Fletcher “stated she just wanted to know who had said that she said that.” Bennett stated that Fletcher was “visibly upset,” to which the student “stated that she ‘didn’t care about white people tears,’ she was offended by what was said.”
During an investigative interview, one of the students “stated that she knows Mrs. Fletcher has said the word in class.” The student alleged that other students have said that Fletcher had used the word during this school year and in previous years. The student was asked if she had personally heard Fletcher use the word. The student said, “I know that she said it in her class.”
The report contains notes from an interview with Fletcher as part of the investigation. Daniel Aultman, a representative from the teacher’s union, was present in an unofficial capacity. It was stated that the librarian overheard one of the students say “they had gotten Mr. Peterson and said they were going to get [Fletcher] like they got Mr. Peterson.” It was stated that Aultman had received notice from another teacher that “[Brigitte] Gudz and [Ruth Ann] Latner were next.”
Fletcher stated she has never used the word in her classroom and that she “does not know why the allegation was made.”
As required by Florida Statutes, a Professional Practice Submission Report was filed with the Florida Department of Education. In a summary statement, this report states: “While the investigation determined that Fletcher used the word in a defending and interrogative context rather than as a direct insult, the district found her actions demonstrated a lapse in professional judgement. The district found the alleged claims of prior use were unsubstantiated, as no witnesses confirmed prior use of a racial slur.”
The report contains a statement from another teacher who stated “she overheard a student in her second period class stating Ms. Fletcher was being baited. She said she understood how it felt to be baited because she was baited last year so she just wanted someone to know.”
The report concludes that “Ms. Fletcher used a racial slur in the presence of students, though evidence suggests that it was used in an interrogative manner to address a rumor, rather than as a direct invective.” The report further states that there was not sufficient evidence to corroborate the claim that Fletcher used the word at any other time. Those allegations were considered to be second hand.
As a result of the investigation, the following corrective actions were required:
• A formal written reprimand will be placed in [Fletcher’s] personnel file
• Reassignment of duties that do not involve direct student contact
• Completion of professional development in the areas of:culturally responsive teaching, trauma-informed instructional practices and appropriate instructional handling of historically explicit language.
Additionally, “all lesson plans must be submitted for administrative review and approval for the remainder of the academic year. Administrative observations will be conducted with specific attention to classroom discourse and instructional language. [Fletcher is] required to submit a written acknowledgement of district expectations regarding professional conduct and culturally responsive practices.”
The report includes 20 statements from students and one parental statement in support of Fletcher, who was recently named the District Teacher of the Year. “She has done so much for my son, and if it were not for her, he wouldn’t be graduation-ready,” said one parent. “He wasn’t able to pass the huge tests he needed for (English Language Arts) and Math, and with her tireless effort, he was able to do just that. She has helped so many of the students at the high school since she came here a few years ago. Please take her into consideration with all the good she has done for so many students before my son and think of the ones after him. They will not have that champion behind them, pushing them and teaching them. This not only hurts her and her family, but it is a huge loss for our students as a whole.”
In her response to the report, Fletcher stated: “My use of the word referenced in the report occurred within an interrogative context while addressing student statements and allegations being discussed in the moment. It was not directed toward any individual student as an insult or used in a derogatory manner. I recognize, however, that regardless of intent, the use of such language in a classroom setting can be perceived as inappropriate, and I take that concern seriously. I remain committed to reflecting on this situation, continuing to grow professionally, and ensuring that my actions align with district expectations moving forward. I am willing to participate fully in any required professional development and to take all necessary steps to maintain a positive and respectful learning environment for students.”