Ga. school director fired after racial graduation comment

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. — The small Atlanta-area private school director who gained national attention for a racially charged comment she made during a graduation ceremony last week has been fired.

Dr. Heidi Anderson, chair of the board of directors at TNT Academy, wrote in a letter sent to the Gwinnett County NAACP that the board voted to dismiss school director Nancy Gordeuk:

In light of recent events, the board of directors of TNT Academy has moved to dismiss Nancy Gordeuk as principal. During the coming transition, we will continue to prioritize support for our most recent graduates. Moreover, we will continue our commitment to providing students with the best educational classes, transcription services, and academic credit recovery possible.

During last Friday's graduation celebration, Gordeuk accidentally dismissed attendees before the school valedictorian could give a speech. As people began filing out of the room, she asked them to come back.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Gordeuk made the incendiary comment as she tried to regain the attention of graduates and their families.

"She forgot the final speech. So she dismissed us all at first," said one of the graduates, Donte Lambert. "Then she told everyone to come back. One parent got mad and he told his child to come on," Lambert said.

Gordeuk also told WSB-TV that she was frustrated in part because an unknown person had walked to the front of the auditorium to record the graduation ceremony. After asking him to sit down, she later called security, but not before calling him a "goober" and a "coward."

According to video recordings of the ceremony posted to social media, those comments appeared to cause an unrelated family to walk out with their graduate.

Gordeuk then addressed her mistake about the valedictorian to the crowd.

"You people are being so rude to not listen to this speech," Gordeuk told the audience, according to video recordings. "It was my fault that we missed it in the program. Look who's leaving — all the black people."

Several black honors graduates appear to walk off the stage in protest. Cell-phone video recorded by audience members has since gone viral.

Gordeuk later apologized to parents in an email, saying, "The devil was in the house and came out from my mouth. I deeply apologize for my racist comment and hope that forgiveness is in your hearts."

Many parents and community leaders had called for Gordeuk to be fired.

Georgia NAACP President Francys Johnson said the organization is pleased with the board's decision.

"Beyond the inappropriate remarks, the former principal attempted to legitimize the bizarre episode by claiming 'the devil made her do it,' " Johnson said in an emailed statement. "This is not just about Mrs. Gordeuk's comments. The NAACP would defend Mrs. Gordeuk's right as a private citizen to free speech. However, those entrusted with responsibility for our children must set a high standard marked by civility. That is obviously a test the former principal failed."

TNT Academy is a non-traditional school for home-schooled students hoping to obtain accredited degrees.

Contributing: The Associated Press.