Teacher fired for honoring reserve commitment in Afghanistan

[TN al]

http://www.newschannel5.com/content/investigates/20550.asp

A Wilson County soldier went to war and now is fighting another battle back here at home. Capt. John Parker says he was forced to decide between serving his country and saving his job as a school teacher.


But just one month after Parker went back to work, the Wilson County School system told him his teaching contract was not being renewed and he was out of a job.

But despite the law, the director of schools says he still feels that when class started, instead of being on the battlefield, Parker should have been in the classroom.

"Could he have said something to his superiors? 'Look, I really need to get back there. If everything is equal, I need to get back there (to Wilson Central High School) January 3rd because that's when my class starts and I need to be with those kids for the full semester.'"

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Is that even legal?

[Goblinmonger]

2. If he was a probationary teacher

they can pretty much non-renew just because they don't like him. If he has tenure (varies as to number of years from state to state--it is 3 years on probation in Wisconsin) then it is MUCH more difficult to fire them.

[LostinVA]

11. I think the district ADMITTING that's why he was let go will trump that

If they didn't, I'd agree with you 100%.

[dsc]

4. No but sadly it happens all too often

A simple solution would be to change the penalty from whatever it currently is to making the boss take his or her employee's place in the reserve unit.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Theoretically no

jobs are guaranteed for the duration of the deployment et al. He should contact the Army and have army legal handle this

[Norquist Nemesis]

3. Idiot school administrator

He wouldn't have had him either way. Had he refused to go and disobeyed orders, he would likely have been jailed.

[bowens43]

6. The school met is obligation.,

It took him back until his contract expired. They are not required to do more.

[bowens43]

5. I don't see a problem here.

He went back to work when he returned. He was shown to be unreliable. His contract was up.
The law does not require contract renewal for life.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. he was deployed

you see the problem here. He woudl have been in the classroom of deployment orders never came in

[lpbk2713]

9. I would love to know .....

how many of the school board members have "Support the Troops" stickers on their cars.

[uppityperson]

10. Support the Troops.

I can see that he might not be able to have the exact same job back, they would've had to fill his position with either a temp or permanent person, but he should be able to have a teaching job back. I wonder if they do this to people who need a leave due to illness or pregnancy/birth?

[TreasonousBastard]

12. Too much is missing in this story...

he taught "criminal justice" and was assistant wrestling coach, which doesn't sound like a full-time teacher.

He was apparently ordered to Iraq once, but was he ordered or did he volunteer for the second tour?

The stated reason for his contract not being renewed was that too few students signed up for his class, but it was noted that he spent two years away from the school. While not the stated reason, his absence would raise questions in any employment, particularly if he volunteered to go. One wonders about the budget discussions in the school board over a teacher who teaches one unpopular course and helps out coaching the wrestling team.

It may or may not be fair, as he whines, but life is rarely fair and if he volunteered he made his Hobson's choice and is stuck with it. He chose Iraq over his students.