Jimmy Simmons

Branch president Jimmy Simmons said the Casper group is collecting facts regarding the dismissal of teacher Kelly Rutz, who is Hispanic.

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Simmons said white teachers had more serious complaints made against them, but nothing happened, the complaint says.

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The NAACP branch wants to "allow both sides to present evidence supporting their sides," Simmons said.

"We absolutely are going to let Mr. Blankenship tell his side of the story," he added.

The issue surfaced Sunday in an article in the Casper Star-Tribune.
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Simmons said Monday that is not the case.

"We haven't gotten to that point yet," he said.
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Simmons said Blankenship was notified in June that a formal complaint had been lodged.
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Simmons said he has seen Rutz's teaching evaluations, which he termed "very, very good."He added that he has positive letters written in June 2000 by a principal at Rawlins High and a UW professor.

When the health occupation position was eliminated at Rawlins High, several students lobbied the board to keep Rutz on as a teacher, he said.

He also has a letter of support from a parent who made a comment in the beginning of the year, but indicated in the letter that he misjudged Rutz, he said.

"This is about equality" and justice, Rutz said."This is about due process."

What happened has "ruined my life.This has been really hard on me," she said.

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Whether the NAACP conducts a formal investigation depends on whether Rutz continues to retain representation by the Wyoming Education Association's attorney, Simmons said.The NAACP cannot look into the matter if she has an attorney, he added.

Simmons said it would be her decision about whether to pursue legal action.

Rutz said, "I was treated unequally, unfairly and did not get due process."

She added that she might have to go further to get it settled and get her name cleared.

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