A Brentwood Middle School teacher who was twice nominated for teacher of the year filed a complaint Wednesday saying the school principal has condoned and tolerated a racially hostile environment.
Gail Auld, who heads the school's social studies department, said Principal Cassandra Jennings knew students hit, threatened, stole from and racially cursed her and did little, if anything, in response, according to her filing with the state Human Affairs Commission, the precursor to a lawsuit.
Hers is the fourth complaint filed by a Brentwood teacher alleging racial harassment or discrimination at the North Charleston school, which has been the focus of reform efforts that included a new administration this year.
Jennings, a principal specialist who took over in July to help straighten out the school, has faced problems with students attacking teachers earlier this year. In September, a 13-year-old student who tried to leave class hit her teacher and pulled her hair after being told she needed permission to leave the classroom.
In October, a substitute gym teacher was attacked and beaten by four eighth-grade boys and two seventh-grade girls, according to a police report. 'It hasn't changed.'
