"Mr. Moorehead had the opportunity to return to work for well over a year and chose not to do so. After the districts investigation was complete, he was given the opportunity to return to work, but would have been reassigned, Freund said. The teacher has been relieved of his duties until the investigation plays out, Superintendent Thomas Parker wrotein a letterThursday evening. Wisconsin legislators are poised to accept the state's share of a settlement stemming from a multistate lawsuit accusing drug manufacturers and distributors of contributing to the nation's opioid crisis. The district has received notice Moorehead plans to take legal action in Lehigh County Court, but a complaint has not yet been filed. Rachel Carr was fired from her job as a driver for PennDOT after she posted in a local Facebook group about her frustration with school bus drivers in the area after one pulled out in front of her truck. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Ive always encouraged my kids to be critical thinkers and to form their own opinion, one that they can be proud to have., His attorney Malofiy blasted the districts decision to suspend Moorehead and issue the statement without first gathering more information about what really happened. On negative responses to his social media posts, Moorehead said he does believe that joining thousands to listen to the former president speak and form his own opinions is a civic duty. Moorehead, a social studies teacher at Raub for 17 years, posted pictures of himself at Trumps Stop the Steal rally blocks from the White House grounds. When asked if he broke any laws, Moorehead was clear. Paul Davis, a Dallas-area lawyer, was fired from Goosehead Insurance after a Twitter user brought Davis's Instagram posts at the Capitol to light. At the same time, the district has an obligation to respect the First Amendment rights of our staff and students. He and his lawyer speak with CNN's Michael Smerconish. Suspended Allentown teacher Michael C. Davis, accused of spanking an entire class and slapping a student and his mother, wont get his job back. Social media footage of thechaosshowedthe pro-Trump mob toppling barricades, scaling the building and smashing windows. District officials have not disclosed whether the suspended teacher was among those who breached the Capitol building. 2022 The Associated Press. Pennsylvania middle school teacher rightfully suspended over possible involvement in Capitol riots March 22, 2021 by Kavita Sundaram Photo by BBC Protesters break into and riot at the capitol. ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- The Allentown School District is facing a legal battle after it alleged a teacher took part in the Capitol riots of January 6th. Why First Republic failed. The Social Studies teachers controversial social media posts had drastic consequences. 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," The Morning Call reported. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Ten of them have been charged with curfew violations; the three others face charges of unlawful entry, PennLive reported. Moorehead said the day after the January 6th riots, the Allentown School District suspended him and put out a press release that read in part that a staff member was "involved in the electoral college protests that took place at the United States Capitol Building.". I believe I was just terminated today by you nine, nine to zero, Moorehead said. The Supreme Court is really looking at not just what the speech is, but the impact. Utahs strong economy and business environment make it an attractive place, but experts and locals say that isnt all the Beehive State has to offer. Legal Statement. Period.. Check out these great suggestions. It is also mindful that as teachers, they must exercise discretion in how they exercise those rights so as to preserve their credibility as educators of young people.. Moorehead was officially reinstated in July 2021, after the investigation found he had violated the district's social media policies, but not its outside activities policy. Our journalism needs your support. Teacher suspended after Jan. 6 fired for not working. Russia missile attack on Ukraine injures 34, damages homes, May Day: Worlds workers rally, France sees pension anger, FDIC recommends raising insured deposit limit for businesses, What the Tech? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For example, a teacher cannot ask to search a bag that looks weird and bulgy for drugs based only on the look of the bag. The court said that the importance of an employees statements on an issue of public importance must be balanced against any harm they cause the agency. Participation in the demonstrations on Jan. 6 has brought professional consequences for some, mostly limited to those who stormed the Capitol building. The chaos in Washington D.C. added to the "confusion and uncertainty" that students are facing during the pandemic, Parker wrote. Moorehead said he had taken a bus trip to Washington on Jan. 6 to protest the certification of Electoral College votes and hear the president speak. My best friends are there. Was the Allentown teacher suspended after, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Was the Allentown teacher suspended after attending Stop the Steal rally within his rights? Jason Moorehead, who was suspended by the Allentown School District following the U.S. Capitol riots, claims his reputation as a teacher has been tarnished by They were emboldened by President Donald Trump, who urged them to head to Capitol during a rally near the White House. Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Malofiy said that after a seven-month investigation in conjunction with FBI, the district sent his client a letter that stated his presence at the rally did not violate school policy. Moorehead said that while he attended a rally for then-President Donald Trump in Washington that day, he was never closer than a mile from the Capitol building. He failed to return. Moorehead had the opportunity to return to work for well over a year and chose not to do so., Speaking to the board Thursday, Moorehead said the board fed the community lies. The notoriety has also cost him the trust and respect of students. Superintendent Thomas Parker and school district solicitor John Freund did not respond to repeated phone calls Saturday. The district cited social media postings from Moorehead in its initial decision to suspend him with pay and open an investigation into his actions that day. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), My reputation and character have been destroyed: Allentown School District teacher suspended for attending protests says lawsuit is inevitable, Browse political cartoons for the week of May 1, Bill White: What should have happened with Tucker Carlson, Your View: Homeownership remains a dream only for many people of color, Your View: Parental rights groups have forgotten their lessons on civility and respect, a 50-year-old Pennsylvania man and ardent Trump supporter who suffered a medical emergency, A retired firefighter from Chester County is charged with assaulting officers after authorities say he hurled a fire extinguisher at police, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. All rights reserved. Moorehead says he was never closer than a mile away from the Capitol building that day and didnt realize the violence that occurred until after he had left. While the First Amendment does not protect private-sector employees from being fired for what they say, government workers have legal recourse if they believe they have been wrongly terminated, Zirkel said. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Feb 3, 2021 Jason Moorehead, an Allentown teacher, is requesting a apology from the Allentown school district. We understand that many members of our community are upset by the image, the letter states. Paul Lancaster Adams, a labor employment attorney, said some states have laws that protect or limit off-duty conduct. The Allentown School District is facing a legal battle after it alleged a teacher took part in the Capitol riots of January 6th. The districts determination will come down to the delicate balance between an employees First Amendment rights and the schools judgment about what it considers acceptable behavior. You destroyed my career, my character, my life, my marriage, I might lose my house -- all because some of you did not like my political conservative views. No," he said. In a few cases, protesters have lost jobs even if they did not take part in the violent rioting. The termination came because of the abandonment of his position, the solicitor said. Im shocked that this happened and Im scared about my future.. Sarah Cassi may be reached at [email protected]. But he said didn't feel safe going back after the district failed to set the record straight that he wasn't part of the violence and not a racist. This 13-year-old is headed to medical school a year after - Im being fired for refusing to come to a place that is unsafe, a situation you guys created.. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. Jason Moorehead said he was never at the Capitol when the violence erupted and only attended Trump's speech about a mile away. When the investigation was complete Mr. Moorehead was invited to return to teaching. The Georgia appeals court reasoned that her post interfered with the operation of the middle school where she taught.. Moorehead said he had an impeccable record, and cared deeply for his students most of whom were minorities. ", Speaking to the board Thursday, Moorehead said the board fed the community lies. Youve made it impossible for me to return. Im being fired for refusing to come to a place that is unsafe, a situation you guys created.. Later, he reposted someone elses tweet saying Dont worry everyone, the capitol is insured, adding This, to show his approval. I dont know how I can get that trust back. Copyright 2023 WPVI-TV. "You can have your job back. Ive had thousands of great relationships with students and parents.. Morning Call reporter Sarah M. Wojcik can be reached at 610-778-2283 or [email protected]. Moorehead said teaching in the school district is the only job he has ever had, and he considers himself more than a teacher, leading clubs and coaching sports. Moorehead had the opportunity to return to work for well over a year and chose not to do so.. The intrusion prompted lawmakers and Vice President Mike Pence to flee for safety. Let us know. He said his address and phone number have been posted online. Pennsylvania teacher suspended after Jan. 6 riot fired for Seventy people had been arrested as of Thursday night, including 13 Pennsylvania residents. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The Allentown School District will conduct a formal investigation into the role that one of its teachers played in the U.S. Capitol riot. His attorney Francis Malofiy said that despite a strongly worded letter to school administrators demanding an apology for the public statement placing Moorehead at the scene of the attempted insurrection, the school district has been silent. "Because he's a white Christian, conservative male, they politically assassinated him and destroyed his career," he said. Former Pennsylvania state representative Rick Saccone also referenced storming the capitol in a social media post that day, but told the Tribune-Review he didnt mean it literally and only went to Washington to peacefully protest and express grievances about the way the election was handled. He resigned from his position at Saint Vincent College that week, saying he didnt want all this terrible media kerfuffle to tarnish the school.. "Never within a mile of that place. A Bucks County teacher who called her students utterly loathsome and frightfully dim in her online blog lost her appeal to the First Amendment after her district fired her. said Christine Condon, who also participated in the meeting. He also wrote a comment that read "wrong on so many levels, but hilarious" on another controversial meme. A Pennsylvania teacher who was suspended last year during an investigation into his attendance at, and social media posts about, the Stop the Steal rally which later turned to a deadly insurrection on Jan. 6 has been fired for refusing to return to work. Allentown Teacher Suspended For Being Near U.S. Capitol During Riots! Im being fired for refusing to come to a place that is unsafe, a situation you guys created. He maintains his trip to Washington to hear the former president speak was nothing more and denied involvement in the siege. No, period, he said. ii Even if your school has a gendered dress He is currently under a paid suspension as The freedoms ensconced in the First Amendment are among the most celebrated in the U.S. Constitution. Morning Call reporter Peter Hall can be reached at 610-820-6581 or [email protected]. Allentown School District board of school directors voted Thursday to fire Jason Moorehead, who was a middle school social studies teacher at the Allentown School District. Asked what he was trying to convey with the posts, Moorehead said he was not mocking Black Lives Matter or antifa. "Is this the kind of person that we want in our school district spending time with our children and influencing minds and hearts?" FOX News contributors Dan Bongino and Sarah Sanders react to the day's events on 'Hannity'. App of the Day: Poolsuite FM, What the Tech? Allentown School District board of school directors voted Thursday to fire Jason Moorehead, who was a middle school social studies teacher at the Allentown School District. President Donald Trump speaks at the "Stop The Steal" Rally on Jan. 6. The FBI has arrested more than 100 associated with the siege so far, and many companies have taken to Twitter to confirm the firing of their involved employees. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Until the district completes the investigation and makes a decision on his status, the teacher is still receiving pay and benefits. Mr. Andrews told the Chicago Tribunethat she didn't know illegal actions were taking place. (Associated Press). In another, he stood in front of a hot dog cart waiting for lunch during (what CNN will hopefully call) a mostly peaceful protest while at the Capital.. Market data provided by Factset. More dry than wet overall, but still cool and unsettled. Speaking to the board Thursday, Moorehead said the board fed the community lies. Teacher Suspended After Jan. 6 Fired for Not Working. Partly to mostly cloudy, brisk, and cool. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. "While we all have the right to express ourselves, it is important to do so respectfully," the letter said. Parker and School Board President Sara Brace declined to provide additional details or identify the teacher, citing it as a personnel matter,TheAllentown Morning Callreported. ALLENTOWN A Pennsylvania teacher who was suspended last year during an investigation into his attendance at, and social media posts about, the Stop the Steal rally which later turned to a deadly insurrection on Jan. 6 has been fired for refusing to return to work. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions.
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