Louisiana School Secretary Uses Racial Slur To Refer To MLK Day, Resigns

KEY POINTS

Newlyn Fontana also referred to MLK Day as "Mark Luther Day" in the texts
Fontana later sent an apology message to the coach
The shocking texts were shared online by a social media user

A text message thread from a White woman in Louisiana who worked as a school office secretary became public and sent shockwaves among those in the know. She was forced to resign after mentioning Martin Luther King Jr. Day — a federal holiday that has been observed for 37 years in the country — in an obnoxious manner.

The woman in question is identified as Newlyn Fontana who worked at the Ouachita Parish Junior High School. In a text thread between her and the school's coach, Fontana referred to MLK Day as Mark Luther Day. She was reminding the coach to inform the players that school's off on Monday due to the federal holiday which she also referred to as [N-word] day, WKRG reported.

The coach replied asking, "Huh? Say what? Where that come from?" To which she much later apologized writing, "I'm very sorry coach I didn't mean to sent [sic] that first text to u please forgive me."

A screengrab of the texts was shared on Facebook by Walter Geno McLaughlin. The post can be accessed here (trigger warning – racist language.)

"These are the type of people we entrust to educate our children. Can you imagine how many children and how many years she has had to act as overseer of black babies, all while hating them bc of the color of their skin. From what I understand the school district allowed her to resign but there are many who feel like she should've been terminated. Someone got some explaining to do..." Laughlin wrote along with the screengrab.

School officials and school board members confirmed to KTVE that the said texts between Fontana and the coach had indeed been exchanged.

Principal Darren Wheeler issued a statement regarding the matter. "Unfortunately, on Friday evening, a text message which contained a racial slur from an employee was brought to our attention. That employee is no longer employed by the Ouachita Parish School System. We do not condone any form of racism in our schools and community. Thank you for your time, and enjoy the rest of your day," he stated.