Mike Kemp, a Pulaski County Special School District board member and mayor of Shannon Hills, said last week that he is innocent of breaking and entering charges pending against him in Saline County and of an allegation that he directed racial slurs to children.
In a written statement presented at a School Board meeting Monday, Kemp devoted particular attention to what he said was "the most offensive baseless allegation made against me," adding that "any racial comments attributed to me are simply not true."
"They are at their core extremely offensive to me and hurtful to my wonderfully blended family, of which there are multiple bi-racial members and I love them all unconditionally," he wrote.
Despite the statement, district and community leaders questioned Kemp's ability to act objectively on matters in the racially diverse school system.
Sen. Linda Chesterfield, D-Little Rock, told the board at a meeting the next day, Tuesday, that Kemp's statement "rings hollow" because she has observed how Kemp treated interim Superintendent Janice Warren and other employees in a condescending manner.
"People of color feel there is no justice before this School Board," Chesterfield said.
Pam Fitzgiven, a teacher and chairman of the district's Personnel Policies Committee for state licensed employees, called for Kemp "to do the right thing and resign" from his board position.
"If he doesn't, it is my hope the rest of you will do the right thing and do what it takes to make it happen," Fitzgiven told the board.