CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Albemarle County Supervisor Sally Duncan, who represents the Jack Jouett District, called for an independent investigation Friday into what she labeled a “toxic culture” in the county school division’s central office. Duncan went so far as to suggest that there is racial discrimination and that employees who speak out against the issues face retaliation.

“We have an incredible school division. The people who show up day in and day out to teach, guide, and support our children deserve to be celebrated,” Duncan wrote in a statement. “The toxic culture that exists in Central Office must be exposed and rooted out. We all deserve nothing less.”

Duncan said there needs to be a “true formal, transparent, and independent investigation into ACPS leaders that includes a whistleblower process.”

“It is essential that the whistleblower process and chain of command remains outside the purview of anyone in ACPS,” she said in her statement. “The whistleblower process must allow current and former employees to safely come forward with their concerns about legal wrong-doing or unethical behavior that conflicts with written policy. This investigation also needs to examine the relationship between school board members and Central Office staff.”

ACPS spokesperson Jason Grant declined to comment on Duncan’s call for an investigation into the central office. The school board has already launched an independent investigation into the situation leading up to and following the arrest of Hollymead staffer Michael Swiney. The board has also appointed a new acting superintendent and passed new guidelines for one-on-one meetings between staff and students.

In an interview Friday with Cville Right Now, Duncan criticized what she called a “lack of transparency” surrounding the status of the Swiney report and said she believes a broader investigation into the school division’s central office culture is needed.

Duncan did praise the work and direction of the division under acting Superintendent Dr. Chandra Hayes.

“I’ve heard she’s doing really good work and people like her,” Duncan told Cville Right Now. “I know changes and school board stuff is slow.”

The school division has been under scrutiny since two staffers were arrested. Woodbrook teacher Nicholas Clark was arrested in March on child pornography charges and Swiney was arrested in June on 11 felony charges of sex crimes against children.

On June 11, the school board asked Superintendent Dr. Matthew Haas to resign, which he did on June 20. On July 9, Hollymead Principal Joe McCauley, who had been on administrative leave, resigned.

On July 16, Heidi Gilman Bennett, an outgoing officer with the ACPS Family Council, publicly accused ACPS Assistant Superintendent for Strategic Planning Dr. Patrick McLaughlin of sexual harassment. McLaughlin was placed on administrative leave.

In August, a group led by Albemarle County Republican Committee Chairperson Phil Riese launched a petition to have Dr. Kate Acuff removed from the school board, alleging she had prior knowledge of the investigation into Swiney and failed to alert other board members.

In Friday’s statement, Duncan also criticized the school board’s decision not to name Bennett to the body’s vacant at-large seat. On Thursday, the board tapped David Storm to fill the post left open by Allison Spillman’s resignation.

“The refusal to appoint Heidi Gilman Bennett, the person who has done so much unpaid labor on behalf of the district, and who knows the importance of holding people accountable, sends a message that they are unwilling to do the hard work of honestly dealing with the long-standing serious issues within Central Office,” Duncan said in her statement.

School Board Chair Dr. Rebecca Berlin explained Storm’s selection in a statement released by the division Friday morning.

“Ultimately, we believe Mr. Storm brings unique perspectives to the board as a parent, a legal expert, a business leader, and an engaged resident who will ask hard questions, challenge the status quo, and work collaboratively with the board as we navigate the challenges and opportunities in the year ahead,” said Berlin.

Storm and Bennett were two of 13 candidates the school board interviewed for the at-large seat. Monday, Duncan, who is in her first term on the Board of Supervisors, emailed all six members of the school board to lobby for Bennett.

A day later, Duncan released her statement, implying a variety of improprieties rooted in the division’s leadership.

“The public deserves to know what sort of toxic culture in Central Office allowed the alleged sexual harassment by the assistant superintendent to take place, and why it took so long for action to be taken against Michael Swiney,” Duncan said in her statement. “What else has been occurring? There are whispers of other things. Racial discrimination. Retaliation against employees who speak out. Complaints about Special Education. Investigative reports that remain hidden.”