Onalaska ISD Superintendent Lynn Redden resigned Saturday, six days after posting a racist comment on a public social media site.
Redden came under fire after last Sunday’s Texans loss to the Titans in Nashville. He wrote in part, "When you need precision decision making you can't count on a black quarterback." He later said he intended to make the comment in a private conversation with a friend, but accidentally posted it on the Houston Chronicle’s Facebook page.
In a letter addressed to the school board president, Redden called his comments “wrong and inappropriate.”
The district held a closed-door meeting Saturday to discuss the controversy. At the meeting they accepted Redden’s resignation. They later released a statement saying in part, "The district values every individual, and therefore the district will take the appropriate measures to address the situation expeditiously and completely,"
Here is the complete text of Redden’s resignation letter:
"I want to express my deepest apologies to the Board of Trustees, Staff, Students and Patrons of the Onalaska Independent School District for the comments I made on Facebook. The comments were wrong and inappropriate and have been an embarrassment to the District, my family, friends and to me. For this I am deeply sorry.
"As an educator, this experience has taught me that I still have a lot to learn. My comments were not only uninformed but also hurtful and I understand now why they were offensive to so many people. I'd like to apologize directly to DeShaun Watson. I recognize that given the opportunity to respond by criticizing or belittling me, he chose peace and positivity instead. In spite of the terrible position I put him in, he showed himself to be the kind of role model I'd be proud for any of my students to follow.
"Also, I want everyone to know that my comments in no way reflect the nature of the Onalaska Independent School District or the Onalaska community. These are caring, thoughtful communities where there is no place for racism.
"Moving forward, I believe it is in the District's best interest that I resign from my position. Accordingly, I hereby submit my resignation as an employee and as Superintendent of the Onalaska Independent School District, to be effective 11:59 p.m. September 22, 2018.
"My resignation as the Superintendent and as an employee of the Onalaska Independent School District is tendered, subject to, and in accordance with, the terms, conditions and provisions of that certain Voluntary Separation Agreement between the Onalaska Independent School District and me effective the 22nd day of September, 2018.
"I would like to thank the OISD School Board of Trustees and staff for the past 12 years of working with you in Onalaska and in the field of education. I do hope that those who know me well and those who have worked with me will remember me for my body of work over 42 years in public education, rather than by my unwarranted and inappropriate comments."