Sometimes you have to take a principled stand.
June 10, 2008 - New Jersey Education Commissioner Lucille Davy has ruled that a former Atlantic City teacher's conviction on child-abuse charges disqualifies her from any work within the district. The decision disagrees with an initial finding by an administrative law judge.
In 1998, the teacher, Nina L. Chavis, pleaded guilty to whipping her 9-year-old son with a plastic jump rope because he lied about his homework. She was sentenced to two years of probation in 1999, but stayed employed with the district.
That was until the Department of Education found out about it in April 2007 and notified Chavis that it would petition to disqualify her for the position at Texas Avenue School.TT - "The decision disagrees with an initial finding by an administrative law judge."
Chavis resigned May 9, 2007. On June 26, 2007, the Atlantic City Board of Education appointed her as Parent Center coordinator, effective July 1, 2007. But the Department of Education had problems with that as well.
Chavis no longer works in the district, according to Superintendent Fredrick Nickles.
"We severed that relationship earlier this year after the Department of Education told us we had to," he said Monday night.
The implication of that single sentence is best understood if you know how little weight your school district or state Department of Education has in firing or revoking a teacher's license. This 2007 case demonstrates the Ping Pong Process that is involved in disciplining a teacher. With the final decision made by people you never, ever elected.
You can do a search for "revocation teacher" or "school board" or "school" here if you want the aggravation. Trust us, you'll be frustrated.
