OUTRAGE AS TEACH RAPS RON
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. - An upstate teacher could be punished for criticizing Ronald Reagan (news - web sites) to students during a moment of silence for the late president at the high school.
Shenendehowa school district spokeswoman Kelly DeFiciani said once the investigation is finished, the unidentified teacher "could be subject to disciplinary action." The district is investigating whether her comments violated the district policy against staff making political endorsements on school property.
The teacher, who has taught in the suburban Albany district for more than 20 years, made "negative" and "inappropriate" comments about the Republican president's policies before a group of up to 16 seniors in her homeroom, district officials said.
"I think it was extremely inappropriate," said school board president Karen Boiko.
Tony McCann, president of the Shenendehowa Teachers Association, said the teacher remains on the job. "It was a distinguished teacher who had a momentary lapse in judgment," he said.
"This teacher said she wasn't going to participate, even if Reagan was dead," McCann said. "She didn't think Reagan was the hero that everyone else thought he was."
A parent of one student alerted the district to the teacher's remarks, DeFiciani said. The teacher has since apologized to her homeroom class, she said. AP