Fayette school board member apologizes for comment criticized as ‘racial microaggression’

Fayette County Public Schools Board member Tom Jones opened Monday’s regular monthly meeting with an apology for comments he made during a budget meeting four months ago.

The comment was criticized by a member of the Fayette County Schools Equity Council committee as a “racial microaggression,” which are “brief and commonplace verbal, behavioral or environmental indignities,” according to CNN.

In that budget meeting, Jones said he did not want district officials “monkeying around” with the budget, he confirmed to the Herald-Leader Monday night in a text message.

At Monday night’s board meeting, Kevin Thomas, a member of equity council committee, said Jones made the comment during his dialogue with Fayette Superintendent Demetrus Liggins, who is Black.

Thomas called Jones’ comments racial microaggressions. Other equity council members came to the meeting to speak against Jones’ comments, but gave their speaking time to Thomas.

In his statement at Monday’s school board meeting, Jones said four months ago during the preliminary budget discussions, he used a “word or phrase that while otherwise harmless, in the context of a public board meeting was very inappropriate and may have been hurtful to some members of our community.

“I take responsibility for and very much regret having misspoken in this way. Never has it been my intention to demean or degrade any persons. And while I take responsibility for my misstatement, it was in no way a racially inspired act,” he said.

“Also, four months ago, I discussed this matter with two Black leaders in our community, offered my apologies to them. And I have also issued apologies to Fayette County School staff members, Rodney Jackson and Demetrus Liggins. All parties were most gracious and accepted my apologies,” said Jones. “Finally, if there are any other members of the community who were offended by my remark, I, again, offer my heartfelt apologies to you as well.”

Among the recommendations Thomas made was for Jones to attend equity training and an equity council meeting.

Liggins, who was present at a September equity council committee meeting when the issue was discussed without naming Jones, said Fayette school board members would get a series of equity training.