Florida middle school teacher: ‘Don’t date Black boys, they’re not worth it’

The teacher also allegedly watched pornography during class.

David Swinyar, a Jacksonville, FL middle school teacher has been suspended after students revealed racist remarks he made in class

Kernan Middle School thegrio.com
Fotolia/Duval County

David Swinyar, a Jacksonville, FL middle school teacher has been suspended after students revealed racist remarks he made in class, according to Action News Jax.

The principal of Kernan Middle School contacted the Office of Equity and Inclusion/Professional Standards after he was made aware of complaints a parent was receiving from their child concerning Swinyar’s behavior and offensive comments.

Students told the administration that Swinyar used the n-word while referring to some students and in several conversations during class. They also iterated that he told white students “you should not be dating all these different African American boys because they are not worth it.” 

The investigation was launched by the school board on October 6, 2017. They found “credible evidence” to the student’s claims. It also revealed that Swinyar would often demean them, calling them as “dumb” on a regular basis. Raw Story also reported that he would tell the students they were only in his class because they all failed the Florida Standards Assessments test.

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The School District’s Disciplinary Report

The district’s disciplinary report stated the following, according to News4Jax:

“Mr. Swinyar exercised poor judgment when he engaged in inappropriate communications in the presence of, and/or toward students, by using the “n” word in a conversation with students and/or when he referred to a student,” it read. 

“He also made other inappropriate comments such as: “You are in my class because you failed the FSA,” “You all should not be dating all these different African American boys because they are not worth it,” and calling students “dumb,” it continued.

“Mr. Swinyar also exercised poor judgment when he watched “porn” in his classroom on his district laptop computer and/or on his cell phone,” it said.

Swinyar was given a 10-day suspension without pay for his actions on Tuesday night by the Duval County School Board. The report also noted that this was Swinyar’s first investigation and has not received negative reviews in the past.

Swinyar’s attorney Stephanie Schaap told Jacksonville.com that Swinyar denies making the comments. They appealing the board’s decision to suspend him.

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