During yesterday's meeting, parents who spoke during the public comment period, expressed shock and frustration at the incident. But they varied in their views on what the consequences for his words should be.
Jeanie Falletta, a Mount Airy parent, said she was "appalled that the Board of Education has let Mr. Morse off the hook."
"The board set a precedent: Racial slurs are OK in Carroll County, as long as you apologize afterwards," Falletta said. "That's totally unacceptable."
But Anize Dergham, another parent, said she recognized Morse's comment was "a mistake."
Ronnie Graham, a longtime resident whose daughter is a high school junior, had called for Morse's resignation and was pleased to hear he had stepped down.
"It's unfortunate; it's sad," Graham said. "But I think he did the right thing."
Jean Lewis, president of the county chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said she was sorry that Morse had resigned.
"I was willing to work with him if he was willing to work with us," Lewis said. "I thought we had a teaching opportunity here."
arin.gencer@baltsun.com
