SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Scottsdale Unified School District employee who appeared to be the subject of offensive comments made during a recent school board meeting has released a statement expressing how the controversy has been "personally and professionally challenging."

During a meeting in August, school board member Carine Werner appeared virtually and a voice could be heard speaking over mic while Patti Bilbrey, the district's director of nutrition services, was giving a presentation. The virtual voice is heard saying "morbidly obese" and "chubs" as Bilbrey is speaking.

The incident has resulted in some members of the community calling for Werner to resign from the board.

Werner, who is also a state senator, said during the Oct. 7 board meeting that she's been subjected to threa

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