Teacher claims transfer retaliation for complaints

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Posted on Wed, May. 10, 2006

Teacher claims transfer retaliation for complaints

BRENTWOOD: English instructor says she's being punished for blowing

whistle on district for toxic school conditions

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/local/states/califor

nia/14543459.htm

By a King

CONTRA COSTA TIMES

English teacher said she is being involuntarily

transferred to Brentwood's other high school next year after

exposing the presence of mold and asbestos on the aging Liberty High

campus.

The Liberty graduate is calling this move by the Liberty Union High

School District retaliatory discrimination. She plans to appeal the

transfer decision this week and is urging faculty and parents to

attend tonight's school board meeting to support her.

" They are going to answer to me and the public on the changes they

need to make, " she said. " I wanted to show ownership of my school. "

Cal-OSHA fined the district $14,690 and issued 13 citations for

asbestos and mold exposure after filed a complaint. and

students were moved out of a classroom after two samples she took

came back positive for a toxic form of mold.

Air and material testing later issued by the district determined

that the campus was safe.

" They did their own testing and altered the environment. That data

is lost forever, " said. " They are not going public with the

information from the Cal-OSHA report. "

After being vocal about the health and safety issues, said

some people have accused her of destroying Liberty's image. She

described the experience as painful and isolating.

" It has destroyed my trust in (the district's) ability to address

problems, " she said.

Liberty students have been sporting stickers and passing out cards

that read " Save Mrs. " and " We need teachers like her at

Liberty. " Teachers, staff, students, parents and community members

have also been signing a petition that is circulating around

Brentwood in support of .

" Certainly, you don't want to feel that if you disagree or blow the

whistle on something, you are going to be disciplined, " Liberty

grandparent Carolyn Sherfy said.

District officials say involuntary transfers are not uncommon in a

growing district such as Liberty, noting that there are eight such

transfers this year. is scheduled to teach at Heritage High

next year, although she holds several leadership positions at

Liberty.

" We have a brand new high school, so we have to reallocate our

staff, " said Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Jerry

Glenn. " This is not uncommon for us to move our people around or for

them to move themselves around. "

said she has legal protections under a state law called the

Bane Act, California's labor codes and because she filed a complaint

with Cal-OSHA. She insists that other teachers in her department

have asked for voluntary transfers to Heritage High and have been

denied.

" She is a very responsible, self-motivated, self-driven and

compassionate young woman, " said Brentwood City Councilwoman Annette

Beckstrand. " I hope the district will do the right thing and not pin

her up as a scapegoat. They need to be willing to step up and take

responsibility. "

will meet with district officials Friday and may also request

a meeting with the school board.

Superintendent Dan said transfers are based on training,

experience, major fields of study, competency, credentials, past

evaluations, advanced degrees and seniority.

" She has health concerns at Liberty, " he said, noting he can't

elaborate on the reasons for the transfer. " I can say without

question the transfer is not retaliatory for any action. "

a King covers education in far East County. Reach her at 925-779-

7189 or pking@....

IF YOU GO

• WHAT: Liberty Union High School District board meeting

• WHEN: 7:30 tonight

• WHERE: District office, board room, 20 Oak St., Brentwood