Indignation continues to build over comments made by Marysville School Board director Michael Kundu in an e-mail citing research that linked racial genetics to intelligence and the ability to learn. Even while community leaders, human services organizations and even state legislators call for Kundu's resignation from the board, he has submitted a request for a sabbatical, which will be considered at the board's meeting Monday, June 21.

In the June 3 message, Kundu asserted "there is a definitive factor played by racial genetics in intellectual achievement," based on the research of John Philippe Rushton, a Canadian psychology professor whose work has been accused of being unscientific and racist.

Over the past two weeks, the Tulalip Tribes and representatives of NAACP, the Lummi Nation, the Communities of Color Coalition and many others have spoken in protest of the remarks, calling for Kundu's immediate resignation.

"The Tulalip Tribes demands the Marysville School Board address the academic achievement gap for diversity students," said Mel Sheldon, chairman of the Tulalip Tribes. "We also demand that the Marysville School District publicly apologize for and denounce the views expressed by Michael Kundu."

Sheldon continued, "We will no longer accept racism in our schools and lack of results for our students."

A June 14 letter signed by 23 state representatives, including John McCoy and Mike Hope, the legislators wrote they were "indignant and outraged" by the comments made by Kundu that linked race to academic achievement.

"We also take offense to your insinuation that only certain vocational fields contribute to the benefit of humankind," the letter continued, adding that "these reprehensively fatalistic views of human potential and endeavor undermines the essential purpose of public education and, given your elected position, poses a grave threat to the future well-being of our citizenry and our communities."

Nearly 12,000 children attend public schools in the Marysville School District, and roughly one-third of those students are minorities.

At a June 14 press conference called by the Tulalip Tribes, McCoy said he would call for Kundu's resignation and ask the school district to review its goals.

"They [the district] want to raise standards for mid-level students in order to improve test scores," said McCoy, "but they're ignoring the needy students. We need to close that achievement gap. In order to do that, we have to have a school board that truly works for the best for all our children."

Don Hatch Jr., a Tulalip board member and former member of the Marysville School Board, pledged to go to the Monday night school board meeting and call for Kundu's resignation.

"He needs to step down. That's the only way to end this and stop our kids' suffering," said Hatch. "If he refuses to do that, we'll start a recall petition."

Kundu was absent from the June 14 board meeting, during which public comments were taken.

Anthony Craig, a Tulalip Elementary teacher and the father of students in 8th and 10th grade, said the damage is real. "Kids know what's being said about them," he explained. "We've already heard kids at school saying 'My brain is bigger than your brain.' This isn't some philosophical discussion; it's affecting children's lives."

Chris Nation, the newest member of the local school board, read a statement refuting Kundu's comments.

"I condemn any beliefs or notion that supports any idea that a child cannot learn due to race or genetics. I also believe that Director Kundu must take time to reevaluate his beliefs and take responsibility for his actions, and in turn, do what is ultimately best for students, the district, and the community as a whole, and resign his position."

The June 21 meeting was set to begin at 6:30 p.m. in the district's board room.