Kernan Middle School teacher suspended for racial slur

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Discipline for a middle school teacher was approved Tuesday night by the Duval County School Board.

Kernan Middle School teacher David Swinyar was suspended without pay after he reportedly used a racial slur in class.

An investigation launched by the school district on Oct. 6, 2017, after a parent reported to the principal that Swinyar used the "n" word while referring to some students.

According to the district's disciplinary report:

Mr. Swinyar exercised poor judgment when he engaged in inappropriate communications in the presence of, and/or toward students, by using the “n” word in a conversation with students and/or when he referred to a student. He also made other inappropriate comments such as: “You are in my class because you failed the FSA,” “You all should not be dating all these different African American boys because they are not worth it,” and calling students “dumb.

Swinyar was accused by students of viewing porn in his classroom, however, the district's investigation found no evidence to corroborate that.

The findings of the investigation led to Swinyar's 10-day suspension. The report notes that Swinyar has neither been the subject of a prior investigation by the Office of Equity and Inclusion/Professional Standards, nor has he previously received progressive discipline.

Following Swinyar’s suspension, he will be “reassigned to an appropriate district position with no contact with students for the remainder of the year," according to an email from Superintendent Dr. Patricia Willis to School Board members. "As an annual contract employee, Mr. Swinyar’s employment contract with the district expires June 30, 2018.  In May, recommendations for contract renewals for all annual employees will be considered.”