Top Kansas school official suspended over offensive remark

Published February 25, 2022 8:34 AM

By JOHN HANNA
Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ school board has suspended the state’s top public school administrator over an offensive public comment about Native Americans. Its decision Friday to suspend Education Commissioner Randy Watson for 30 days without pay came after it unanimously rejected the resignation he submitted after the governor and indigenous leaders demanded it. Board Chair Jim Porter said members believe in what he called restorative justice and considered Watson’s entire career. The elected 10-member board appointed Watson commissioner in November 2015 to run the State Department of Education. The board’s suspension frustrated Native American leaders who had joined Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday for Watson to step down.

Article Topic Follows: AP National News

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