Morning Call columnist Paul Muschick hopes that Allentown School Superintendent Thomas Parker stays on. I hope that he finds another job and moves on. We know that he has already tried, with Nashville.
Allentown has already greatly enhanced his resumé. Only 38 years old, he moved here from a much smaller job. Allentown was hell bent on hiring someone of color... all three finalists for the position were minorities. Parker knows that in these woke times, being a minority is a qualifier in itself.
I think that those school board members who hired Parker should consider it a teachable moment. Although I don't expect anybody to fess up to poor decision making, hopefully they will realize that for the next contract, fiscal expertise must be the yardstick.
above reprinted from February 21, 2020
UPDATE JANUARY 25, 2021: These are woke, emotional times...They are also litigious times. You didn't have to be a Philadelphia lawyer to know that when Parker suspended the history teacher for just attending the Washington Rally, that the teacher's rights were being violated. Even Paul Muschick, who previously was a defender of Parker, wrote a column questioning the suspension as premature. Those who follow news, both local and now national, know that the teacher is suing Allentown School District. One thing that everyone can agree on, is that the district needs every dollar it has for education. I wouldn't be surprised to see the school board continue to circle the wagons defending Parker. Both his defense and lack of judgement are going to be costly.
UPDATE 7:45am: Parker wrote “Because of the emotion and controversy stirred by the events of January 6, 2021, the teacher has been temporarily relieved of his teaching duties until the School District can complete a formal investigation of his involvement,” I would think that "emotion and controversy" would NOT be defensible bases for suspension.
It is clear the left believes free speech is only for them. Attending a rally or protest is essential for democracy. As a superintendent of an education system he should resign. He sent a very clear message of discrimination in his actions. How can he oversee an educational institution and oppose constitutionally protected actions.
ReplyDeleteThis is guilt by association . Just going down there is not guilt
ReplyDeleteAre we teaching THE MINORITIES in the ASD THAT YOU ARE NOT FREE IN AMERICA TO EHIBIT YOUR 1ST AMENDMENT RIGHTS . A BLM SHIRT IS CONSIDERED CONTRIVERSIAL.you gonna suspend a Black teacher for wearing and supporting this group in school or in a demonstration? This is troubling . Also to not have a white candidate for the job is also troubling . That is discrimination as well. The teacher should be reinstated if all he did was being there !
Prime example of far-left political correctness running amuck
ReplyDeleteIf history has taught us anything, it is that money to fund whatever the Democrats want to fund is certainly nothing to fret about here in the "City Without Limits".
ReplyDeleteTrust me, Parker should have been shown the door for a wide variety of mistakes, deliberate budget shenanigans, poor budgeting practices, overspending, poor administrative skills, poor people skills...long before this happened.
ReplyDeleteMike, on the ASD issues and discussion page a poorly photo shopped image of a hand holding a NAZI I.D. card was posted as evidence the protest the teacher attended was populated by NAZI'S and White Supremacists. This is how far they are prepared to go to destroy this man. They are the new McCarthies. They are the Blacklisters.
ReplyDeleteI also saw on social media misrepresentations of where the teacher was in Washington on Jan. 20th. Worse however, were complaints about his teaching, which were never voiced prior to this incident. At the very least, it appears that he will have to defend himself vigorously.
ReplyDeleteI am familiar with the teacher in question, one of the district' best. Totally dedicated to the kids. A true role model and mentor, exactly what needs to be destroyed by today's poisoned leftists who seek to bring down standards in order to create their new standard.
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