NEW: Cherry Creek schools board member addresses his resignation after making ‘racialized’ remarks

AURORA | Former Cherry Creek school board member Terry Bates , forced to resign Friday, on Sunday addressed allegations that he made recent “racialized” remarks, but neither he nor school officials described his comments.

“As elected leaders serving the Cherry Creek Schools community, we have a responsibility to respect the district’s values, uphold district policies, and act with the utmost professionalism,” school board members said in a statement issued Friday night. “When a member’s actions fall short of board policy and those values, we must address it directly and stand for what is right. As a Board, we have zero tolerance for this type of behavior.”

School board members said only that Bates’ remarks were “inappropriate” and that school board members had proof he had made similar remarks before being elected last November.

On Sunday, Bates posted comments on Facebook, addressing his resignation.

“I accept full responsibility for offending others by my comments, and I regret that my apology was not acknowledged in the board’s press release,” Bates said in the statement.

He said he called school board President Anne Egan last Wednesday to discuss the controversy caused by his undetailed comments, but did not get a return call.

“In advance of the meeting, I prepared a written apology acknowledging that my words were inappropriate and expressing my desire to personally apologize and make things right,” Bates said. “During the meeting, I distributed my written apology to each Board Member. I asked whether my apology would be considered, and I was told it was “too late.” No one asked me a single question about what occurred.”

He said he realized then that there would be no opportunity to address the controversy.

“I believe in accountability, and I took that step. I also believe in fairness and due process, and I do not believe those principles were extended to me in this situation,” Bates said. “It’s important for the community to know that I made a sincere, good-faith effort to take responsibility and address the matter directly.”

Bates went on to take credit for recent board direction requiring new financial audits following controversy in the district created by unexpected resignation of former Superintendent Chris Smith earlier this year.

“I am proud of my service on the board as Treasurer, particularly for leading the charge for a balanced budget for the upcoming school year after two years of spending more than we received from taxpayers and the government. Also, for demanding an audit of the district’s internal financial controls.

“However, the personal attacks and criticisms have had a negative impact not only on myself, but on my family as well,” Bates said, not detailing who has attacked him and how. “These behaviors and their impact deeply concern me.”

Bates won his District D race against challenger Amanda Thayer. He won the board seat held previously by his wife, Kelly Bates, who was term-limited.

“We cannot overlook these actions. For that reason, we join together in accepting his resignation from the board,” members said in their statement.

The school board met Friday in closed session, and Bates resigned without comment immediately following, school officials told the Denver Post.

“We have credible information that Board Director Terry Bates made racialized remarks that were unacceptable and inconsistent with our values,” board members said in a statement. “In addition, others reported concerning interactions. To protect the privacy of individuals involved, we will not release details about this matter.”

The latest tumult for the district follows the resignation of the district’s superintendent and other key school district officials.

The Cherry Creek School District Board of Education approved in February what they termed as policy reforms and an external audit following the sudden resignation of Smith and the placement of the district’s chief human resources officer, his wife, Brenda Smith, on administrative leave.

“This is a difficult and emotional moment for our district and our broader community,” Cherry Creek Board Director Angela Garland said during a February school board meeting. “The departure of Superintendent Chris Smith and the placement of our human resources director on lead has stirred a wide range of emotions. For some, there is relief, perhaps even a sense of vindication. For others, there is grief, confusion and a real sense of loss. I have had conversations with people on both sides, and I want to be clear, both experiences are real and both deserve to be acknowledged.”

Smith’s resignation came amid media scrutiny stemming from a Denver 7 News investigation in which district employees described what they characterized as a toxic work environment. Sources for the 7 News report also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest because Smith and the district’s chief human resources officer are married.

Smith is the subject of allegations that he was linked to outside consultants awarded large school district contracts.

District officials have said Smith’s resignation was unrelated to the television reports.

“The decision to review District policies and freeze certain travel and contracts is a result of concerns being raised about the decisions and actions of former Superintendent Smith and Brenda Smith,” Board President Anne Egan said.

School officials did not detail how the school district plans to fill the vacancy created by Bates’ sudden resignation.