The Grand Ledge Board of Education will conduct a special meeting Friday to discuss controversial comments made online by the district’s superintendent about the death of George Floyd.
Superintendent Brian Metcalf posted comments decrying Floyd’s death while in Minneapolis police custody, along with the riots occurring in cities around the country. But he also pointed out reports that Floyd had tried to spend counterfeit currency and had resisted arrest. Metcalf’s critics see that as victim shaming, and they are calling for his resignation or firing.
Metcalf has apologized and says he’ll seek diversity training.
Denise DuFort is president of the Grand Ledge school board. She says after the online meeting opens to the public, the board will go into closed session and then return for public comment. “We as a board are trying to make sure that we’re doing our due diligence and trying to gather as much information as we can," DuFort states, "to make the best decisions we can.”
The meeting starts at 10 a.m. Friday.