NAACP protest disrupts Cincy school board meeting

CINCINNATI ((AP) — A Cincinnati school board meeting has been halted by a persistent protest over construction contracts for minority businesses.

More than 100 members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People chanted and sharply criticized the board Monday night. Board President Eileen Cooper Reed left the room; protesters walked out during a five-minute recess.

NAACP leaders want more work for minority-owned construction companies, and their discontent increased after the schools recently acknowledged overstating the amount awarded to minority businesses.

The district goal is for 20 percent of a $1.07 billion school rebuilding project to go to minority businesses. An audit found about 10 percent has so far gone to gone to minority-owned companies.