Tempers Flare at Monroe City School Board Meeting
By: Nina Criscuolo
Updated: December 5, 2012
After a three hour long Monroe City School Board meeting filled with emotions and allegations, it's still unclear how the board will resolve the issues surrounding a controversial voice-mail.
"Hey Davona, this is Vickie Krutzer. Would you give me a call, please?"
It's a typical voice-mail, but it's what is heard later, when school board member Vickie Kruzter's home phone apparently didn't disconnect that has some ringing with emotions.
Male Voice: "I mean, Vickie, are any of these n*****s have an IQ above ten? Does he have a problem? Everybody in this community, black and white..."
Vickie Krutzer: "Well, let me ask you this..."
Male Voice "It's absurd to have McFarland in charge of anything."
Vickie Krutzer: "Does it make any difference whether...(inaudible)."
It's unclear who the male voice in the recording is, but Monroe City Schools Chief Accountant Davona Howard file a complaint with interim Superintendent Derenda Flowers last week. The complaints ask to have Krutzer no longer contact her and accuses Krutzer of creating a hostile work environment.
"As I submit this complaint to you, it's my deepest and sincere hope that the actions of the Monroe City School Board Member Vickie Krutzer, are not taken lightly," read board president Verbon Muhammad from the complaint.
He read it during the open meeting after the board failed to reach a two-thirds vote to go into executive session and despite Krutzer's attorney's attempt to stop it from happening in public.
"We are not waiving confidentiality right for Ms. Krutzer," says Attorney Brady King as police officers escorted him out of the meeting.
Muhammad says he offered Krutzer, who he only referred to as the member from District 2, the chance to resign Monday. He said he would told her he would issue a statement saying she stepped down because of personal reasons. He says she refused and leaked the voice-mail to the media.
"I didn't do that she went and gave it to the media," said Muhammad.
Krutzer replied "I did not give anything to the media."
Leaving tempers in the community and on the board uneasy.
"It's brought chills in my flesh, to hear someone call us n*****s, just to here that... Concerning lawsuits, if you want to sue me because I'm standing up for my right and I'm not going to sit down when some calls me a n***** and or saying my IQ is below 10, then sue me," said Bishop Rodney McFarland.
No one has filed any lawsuits just yet. The only action taken Tuesday night includes President Muhammad taking over the finance committee from Krutzer's control. Krutzer says she has no plans to resign and voiced concerns about privacy.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for December 18th.
"Hey Davona, this is Vickie Krutzer. Would you give me a call, please?"
It's a typical voice-mail, but it's what is heard later, when school board member Vickie Kruzter's home phone apparently didn't disconnect that has some ringing with emotions.
Male Voice: "I mean, Vickie, are any of these n*****s have an IQ above ten? Does he have a problem? Everybody in this community, black and white..."
Vickie Krutzer: "Well, let me ask you this..."
Male Voice "It's absurd to have McFarland in charge of anything."
Vickie Krutzer: "Does it make any difference whether...(inaudible)."
It's unclear who the male voice in the recording is, but Monroe City Schools Chief Accountant Davona Howard file a complaint with interim Superintendent Derenda Flowers last week. The complaints ask to have Krutzer no longer contact her and accuses Krutzer of creating a hostile work environment.
"As I submit this complaint to you, it's my deepest and sincere hope that the actions of the Monroe City School Board Member Vickie Krutzer, are not taken lightly," read board president Verbon Muhammad from the complaint.
He read it during the open meeting after the board failed to reach a two-thirds vote to go into executive session and despite Krutzer's attorney's attempt to stop it from happening in public.
"We are not waiving confidentiality right for Ms. Krutzer," says Attorney Brady King as police officers escorted him out of the meeting.
Muhammad says he offered Krutzer, who he only referred to as the member from District 2, the chance to resign Monday. He said he would told her he would issue a statement saying she stepped down because of personal reasons. He says she refused and leaked the voice-mail to the media.
"I didn't do that she went and gave it to the media," said Muhammad.
Krutzer replied "I did not give anything to the media."
Leaving tempers in the community and on the board uneasy.
"It's brought chills in my flesh, to hear someone call us n*****s, just to here that... Concerning lawsuits, if you want to sue me because I'm standing up for my right and I'm not going to sit down when some calls me a n***** and or saying my IQ is below 10, then sue me," said Bishop Rodney McFarland.
No one has filed any lawsuits just yet. The only action taken Tuesday night includes President Muhammad taking over the finance committee from Krutzer's control. Krutzer says she has no plans to resign and voiced concerns about privacy.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for December 18th.
