Arkansas's education department director Tom Kimbrell is losing faith in Facebook gay-basherClint McCance, who was reelected to a four-year term in September and is set to be in office until 2014. But Kimbrell stopped short of calling for his resignation.
"Every student in Arkansas must be educated in a nurturing environment, free from discrimination or harassment," Kimbrell told the Arkansas Times. "The statements attributed to Mr. McCance constitute a significant departure from statements we expect from our school leaders. The divisiveness and disruption of these comments cause me to seriously question the ability of Mr. McCance to remain as an effective member of the Midland School Board.
"I have been in close contact with the Midland School District superintendent and school board president. They are aware of my strong feelings concerning this matter and I know they share in my grave concern. Along with the members of my staff, I will continue to closely monitor this situation. Despite these unfortunate events, it is my utmost hope that the students in the Midland School District and across the State of Arkansas clearly understand that they are all valued and have intellectual and human worth, and they deserve the best education we can offer."
McCance was first elected to the Midland School Board in 2006 and assumed his position in 2007. He was reelected this year and will start his second term on January 1. Arkansas school board members cannot be recalled from office, and so the only way McCance would leave his position is through his own resignation.
An earlier version of this story indicated McCance was up for reelection in November, which was reported by KTHV in Little Rock.
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