Public Hearing Summaries Note: Click on the case title to download the case PDF. Candice Gardner vs. North Slope Borough School District, Nuiqsut Trapper School Date of Decision: Basis: Race, Retaliation Resolution: Active Case Pubic hearing summary: a teacher filed a complaint alleging discrimination based on her race. She was the only black teacher at the school and in the community, and allegedly faced increasing race-related incidents, including a racial epithet spray-painted on the outside of the school. Complainant reported fear of returning to the community and school because while on approved leave she received a photo of a rope one of her students shaped into a circle and held over another student’s head claiming it was for Gardner. Complainant further alleged constructive discharge when her reports were not taken seriously. Commission staff reviewed both claims and found substantial evidence of discrimination and retaliation. Efforts to settle this matter failed and an Accusation was filed with the Commission on August 24, 2020. Complainant subsequently withdrew her claim to pursue a private action. The Executive Director substituted to pursue the Commission’s public policy concerns. Conciliation failed a second time, and an Accusation was subsequently filed. As of March 31, 2022, efforts to settle the matter were ongoing, and a hearing was scheduled to begin August 8, 2022.