Morse quits Carroll board over racial slur

Carroll County (Map, News) - Jeffrey Morse resigned from the Carroll County school board Wednesday amid fierce criticism over his use of a racial slur. Just after he apologized at a school board meeting for his “extraordinarily inappropriate” use of the slur, the school system confirmed he had quit.

His apology did little to appease black parents, who remained infuriated, and some had called for his ouster.

“It was so hard to let my kids go to school,” said Katrina Cobb, a Finksburg parent of two. “He may have put a scar on my heart that may never be removed.”

Morse, of Taneytown, had recently used the “N” word to describe a dark-colored rock construction that crews had trouble removing at the building site of Manchester Valley High School, parents said.

After the school system received multiple complaints, Morse had admitted he was wrong, apologized and offered to resign, but the rest of the board wanted him to stay, Superintendent Charles Ecker said Wednesday afternoon, before Morse quit.

Parent Wendy Dowe faulted the school board.

“As a taxpayer and a black woman, I am incensed by the actions you as a board have made,” Dowe said. “Your words have been hurtful, and even more so your actions, or lack thereof.”

Jean Lewis, president of the county NAACP chapter, criticized Morse.

“He represents the Carroll County Board of Education,” Lewis said. “It makes me wonder how he will view other minority students when he makes a comment like that.”

Morse could not be reached for comment after he resigned.

At the board meeting, his voice trembling, he said: “My comments at the Manchester Valley High School site were extraordinarily inappropriate. That I was quoting people in my area about a rock is no excuse, and I have learned that deeper than I can tell you.”

He called discussions about race relations in Carroll County “long overdue,” but did not elaborate.

“I believe that in the last week there have been a tremendous number of conversations around kitchen tables and living rooms of parents explaining to kids why what I did was wrong,” Morse said. “I’m afraid if I leave, those conversations will stop.”

“I forgive you,” Cobb said, “but the hardest part is forgiving yourself.”

Morse looked into her eyes, nodded and hung his head.

msilvestri@baltimoreexaminer.com

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