On October 20, 2022, The Belmont County NAACP Legal Redress Committee met with St. Clairsville Superintendent Dr. Walter Skaggs and Legal Counsel- Brian J. DeSantis, ESQ of Pepple & Waggoner Ltd. After much discussion and informing the above parties that NAACP has fielded many more complaints against the St. Clairsville School District and Principal Justin Sleutz. The Belmont County NAACP Legal Redress Committee has stood firm on its initial recommendations:
- > Termination of Principal Justin Sleutz.
- > Change St. Clairsville Policy.
- > Change Discipline Procedure.
- > Extensive Cultural Diversity Equality and Inclusion training for the whole District and staff including the student body by NAACP approved and vetted agents.
The complaints the NAACP has fielded in lieu of the initial compliant, further strengthen the case for this recommendation. This is needed to make St. Clairsville School District whole and eliminate a discriminatory culture that presently exists in the district.
The lack of any disciplinary action since the initial incident (a 17:42 recording of Principal Sleutz using profanity and racial slurs in presence of students) on September 20, 2022, for Principal Justin Sleutz has shown incompetence to do the right thing for all involved in St. Clairsville School District. Principal Sleutz was never placed on administrative leave while awaiting decision from the school board. The only actions in this regard were an unsatisfactory apology letter on school website and letter in his personnel file. This lack of punishment moves the NAACP to take action to protect the constitutional rights of our complainants and children in the St. Clairsville School District.
Belmont County NAACP President,
Jerry E. Moore II
