Pender Co. School Chair Refutes Racist Claims

By Laurin Penland

Wilmington, NC – The Pender County chapter of the NAACP sent a letter to the Pender County Chairman of the Board of Education, Tom Roper, saying he was under investigation for being racially biased.

The letter says the NAACP has credible information that Roper, made many racially derogatory remarks and that he is not involved enough in the community.

Roper says he is shocked.

"It was a direct hit on my character and I'm pretty defensive about it, because I pour my heart and my soul into the school system and some of the other things I do in the community. And you know I'm not looking for gratitude, but I certainly didn't expect this."

Roper says budget cuts forced several lay offs. And they were based on performance, not race.

The Pender County chapter of the NAACP would not return calls for this story.

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