Posted on 05/13/2010 5:29:48 PM PDT by Chaguito
This response is being sent to you as a result of your recent comments to the Los Angeles Unified school District.
Thank you for your comments regarding the personal activities of one our teachers. Let me assure you that we have reviewed the videotape extensively for any violations of District policy and we have come to the following conclusions:
· The videotape was made at a public meeting that took place three years ago.
· The teacher was apparently exercising his right to freedom of speech provided to him as a guarantee under the Constitution of the United States of America.
· The activity took place at a non LAUSD site (UCLA).
· Given that the video is three years old we have no way of determining whether the student referred to in the video was an actual student or former student of the teacher.
· The teacher in question was participating on his personal time and the views he expressed during the gathering were his own and do not represent the opinions and views of the District.
· There appears to be no direct violation of District policy.
Additionally, the teacher’s rights for political activity are protected under our bargaining agreement with the United Teachers of Los Angeles (please see below):
ARTICLE VII
NON-DISCRIMINATION
1.0 Pursuant to applicable Federal and State laws, the District and UTLA agree not to discriminate against any employee based upon race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or political or UTLA affiliation, and to have due regard for employees' privacy and constitutional rights as citizens.
Consequently it has been determined by our legal department that any punitive actions taken against this teacher for conducting his personal activities on his own time and under the given circumstances would be a violation of his Constitutional rights and our bargaining agreement.
As to the issue of the lessons taught in the classroom by this teacher, Mr. Gochez, like many LAUSD teachers, is required to submit a lesson plan to his principal in advance and his course work is consistently monitored to ensure that he adheres his proposed lesson plan.
We thank you for your concern and comments on this matter and assure you that we will continue to monitor this situation closely to ensure that District policies are maintained and adhered to by all District staff.
Please do not reply to this email as this email box is not set up to accept replies.
thank you.
Sedition is not free speech
Ron Gochez is in your employ. That should not remain so. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGqPo5ofk0s&feature=player_embedded#! Calls to overthrow of the government are not what is going to improve LAUSD.
This is a history teacher who believes California and the entire Southwest is stolen land. He is also incompetent. Please fire him now.
So then they would also defend a white supremacist who exercised their first amendment rights to proclaim the overthrow of the US by skin heads as well...in keeping with this policy of theirs.
If he were at a Klan rally, would there be the same reaction? LA boycotted the state of AZ for enforcing the law...now, the milk-fed tax eaters are worried about the Constitution?
Since when?
LAUSD’s present position is not necessarily their final position, especially with a strategically applied, appropriate amount of pressure.
“...a violation of his Constitutional rights and our bargaining agreement.”
Hmmmmm...wonder which has more clout?
So sedition is legal now?
Only if the skinhead in the teachers union. After all, nazis are socialists too.
In other words, everything is going according to District policy and Mr. Gochez will be promoted.
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