Feds are investigating Montco swim club

The U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the Montgomery County swim club that this week was found by a state agency to have racially discriminated against black and Hispanic campers.

In a letter dated earlier this month but released yesterday, U.S. acting Assistant Attorney General Loretta King said the department had determined that accusations that the Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley had discriminated against the Creative Steps Summer Campers were credible enough to necessitate an investigation.

The state Human Relations Commission on Tuesday found probable cause for race discrimination against the club, and ordered it to pay a $50,000 civil penalty.

Meanwhile, Michelle Flynn, identified in the commission's findings as the club member who first questioned "where all these black kids came from," left work early yesterday at Carnell Elementary School, where she teaches sixth-grade math and science. She also taught at least one of the Creative Steps campers.

Flynn, a 15-year district teacher, showed up for work at 8, but requested to take a sick day a couple of hours later, said district spokesman Vincent Thompson.

A colleague, computer teacher Deborah Mindel, an 18-year district teacher, who is also named in the commission's report as having made disparaging remarks, stayed the entire schoolday, he said.

The district has responded by implementing sensitivity workshops at every district school, said spokeswoman Evelyn Sample-Oates.

"We have representatives up there [at Carnell] making sure the climate is controlled," she said.

A woman who identified herself as Flynn's mother declined to comment when reached by phone yesterday by the Daily News. She said that her daughter also did not want to be interviewed.

Yesterday afternoon, some of the parents waiting outside the school for the students' dismissal were still upset over the ordeal.

"They didn't care about their actions and how it would affect the children," said Lerita Permenter, who on Wednesday joined a handful of other parents outside the school demanding the resignations of Mindel and Flynn.

"I don't want anyone out of a job, but this is a totally different situation."

Odolyn Badal, 47, whose daughter Khai, 6, is a first-grader, agreed that both teachers should be fired.

Gwen Ewell, however, offered a different opinion as her fourth-grade granddaughter scooted into the back seat.

"There are two sides to everything," she said. "Until you see what's going on, let's give them a chance. People get real crazy when it comes to kids."

On June 29, 56 campers from Creative Steps, which runs out of Carnell's basement, arrived at the club on Tomlinson Road for what was to be the first of many days.

But almost immediately, campers said, they heard white members make disparaging racial remarks about them.

The club, citing safety issues, asked that the campers not return and refunded dues the camp had paid.

Associated Press contributed to this report.