Period," he said. Moorehead was officially reinstated in July 2021, after the investigation found he had violated the districts social media policies, but not its outside activities policy. 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.. He is currently under a paid suspension as the district investigates his involvement on that day. The teacher was not identified, nor was the school where he works. Other people reportedly have lost their jobs because of their involvement in the riot. Moorehead said he was offered his job back under the condition he undergo racial sensitivity training. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. FOX News contributors Dan Bongino and Sarah Sanders react to the day's events on 'Hannity'. The district said previously Mooreheads social media posts about the events of Jan. 6, and not just his presence in Washington that day, were the focus ofits probe last year. He has never been charged with a crime. PhillyVoice Staff. But those freedoms are not absolute, and over the years, the U.S. Supreme Court has established that government bodies such as school districts may fire employees for what they say if it gets in the way of the agencys mission. Malofiy said he believes district officials reacted rashly to the outcry over Mooreheads social media posts from the Trump rally and said his client has been made a victim of cancel culture, in which people are penalized for their political beliefs. Moorehead said he had an impeccable record, and cared deeply for his students most of whom were minorities. Jason Moorehead doesn't deny he is an unabashed Trump supporter. Moorehead never returned to work and he indicated he had no intention of returning, Freund told lehighvalleylive.com. First Amendment scholars weigh in, Few leads, false alarms as search for Texas gunman drags on, Serena Williams reveals second pregnancy at Met Gala, At least 6 dead after dust storm causes crashes on Illinois highway, May Day: Worlds workers rally, France sees pension anger, a victim of cancel culture and that his reputation has been destroyed, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. That to me is too close to what the First Amendment is about in terms of protecting the democracy by protecting political speech, Zirkel said. If youre thinking of altering your workout routine, youre probably looking for new exercises and equipment to help you reach your fitness goals. At the same time, the district has an obligation to respect the First Amendment rights of our staff and students., Moorehead posted a picture of himself wearing a Make America Great Again hat and carrying a Revolutionary War flag on Facebook with the caption Doing my civic duty. He also shared a tweet by someone else that said, Dont worry everyone the capitol is insured, to which Moorehead added This.. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. 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. "There is no agenda item related to action on any employee at this board meeting," said District Superintendent Thomas Parker atThursday's school board meeting. 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. He appealed under the First and 14th Amendments and was reinstated when the Supreme Court ruled the inaccuracies in the letter were not malicious and did not interfere with the districts operations. Legal Statement. In one, he stood before a sea of Trump banners wearing a Make America Great Again hat and carrying a Revolutionary War flag. 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. Feb 3, 2021 Jason Moorehead, an Allentown teacher, is requesting a apology from the Allentown school district. The district said previously Mooreheads social media posts about the events of Jan. 6, and not just his presence in Washington that day, were the focus of its probe last year. 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 district said in a letter on Jan. 8. Because Carrs rant was of limited public importance but harmed the publics trust in PennDOTs ability to safely serve the public, her speech was not protected, the court ruled. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, and Ashli Babbit, a Trump supporter from San Diego, died from injuries sustained during the riot,CNN reported. The Allentown School District has 22 schools and more than 16,000 students enrolled, according to theFuture Ready PA Index. "I love working in that school. ", "When the district finally admitted to me privately that I had done nothing wrong and that I could return, they refused to let the community know that I am safe, to alleviate both their fears and my fears about returning," he said. ", Speaking to the board Thursday, Moorehead said the board fed the community lies. Im being fired for refusing to come to a place that is unsafe, a situation you guys created.. Allentown Middle School Teacher Suspended After Jan. 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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. Careless words have cost at least one teacher her job locally. "Mr. Moorehead had the opportunity to return to work for well over a year and chose not to do so. Can my school conduct a random Allentown School District board of school directors voted Thursday to fire Jason Moorehead, who was a middle school social studies teacher at the Allentown Malofiy said he was only offered his position back with that caveat. Moorehead called the violence at the Capitol Building disgusting and is steadfast on the fact that he was on a bus to head home when the Capitol Building was stormed. We talk about diversity of people but we have forgotten about diversity of speech and opinion, Malofiy said. ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) 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. Check out these great suggestions. 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. Allentown Teacher Suspended After Jan. 6 Fired for Not Instead theyre trying to figure out what to do now and its double down, dig in the heels.. Speaking to the board Thursday, Moorehead said the board fed the community lies. The platform is designed to engage citizens and government leaders in a discussion about what needs improvement across the country. They could face penalties ranging from fines to prison time. "Never within a mile of that place. Some calling in were passionate that the district was in the wrong. Allentown school board fires teacher who was In 2015, a federal appeals court ruled that former Central Bucks High School East teacher Natalie Monroes comments caused enough of a disruption in the classroom and her ability to perform her job because numerous parents told the district they didnt want her to teach their children that it outweighed her First Amendment claim. Follow Hannah & PhillyVoice on Twitter: @hannah_kanik | @thePhillyVoice A retired firefighter from Chester County is charged with assaulting officers after authorities say he hurled a fire extinguisher at police. All Rights Reserved. District officials have not disclosed whether the suspended teacher was among those who breached the Capitol building. Chicagoreal estate agent, Libby Andrews, was also fired after posting on social media from the Capitol, her former employer announced. All rights reserved. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). The Allentown School District has fired a teacher who was suspended after going to Washington, D.C. for the so-called Stop the Steal rally, which became a deadly insurrectionist riot that took over the capitol building. "At the same time, the district has an obligation to respect the First Amendment rights of our staff and students.". Allentown School Board gets earful about teacher placed on leave after attending Jan. 6 Capitol rally, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. 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HANNITY: CAPITOL RIOTING EXPOSED 'MASSIVE VULNERABILITY' IN SECURITY -- AND AMERICA'S ENEMIES TOOK NOTE. Assistant principal kills himself at Placentia middle school, officials The best states in the country excel in areas such as economy, fiscal stability and opportunity. I was trying to highlight what I believe is the double standard that often exists in the media when theyre looking at two different events from two different political groups, he told Smerconish. Have a news tip? Allentown Teacher's The district said previously Moorehead's social media posts about the events of Jan. 6, and not just his presence in Washington that day, were the focus of its probe last year. The driver who struck and killed an Allentown teacher's aide outside a city high school in September will face charges, according to a report from WFMZ. Superintendent Thomas Parker and school district solicitor John Freund did not respond to repeated phone calls Saturday. Moorehead said he longs to be back in the classroom. The Allentown School District is facing a legal battle after it alleged a teacher took part in the Capitol riots of January 6th. teacher suspended 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. Success! Banning suspensions and expulsions for willful defiance is the 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. The attorney for an Allentown School District teacher suspended after school officials learned hed been in Washington, D.C., for the Jan. 6 protests said the 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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 on Jan. 6 in Washington is being fired for refusing to return to work. Dr. Rick Saccone, a former Pennsylvania state representative and adjunct professor, submitted his resignation to St. Vincent College after he posted a video from the Capitol, FOX 43 in York, Pa., reported. My client has been very very patient in hoping that the school district would do the right thing and at this point, it seems inevitable that we will be filing a lawsuit, Malofiy said. Was the Allentown teacher suspended after attending There was a problem saving your notification. "Now, when you're a government employer, the law says that you have a right to first amendment right to freedom of speech, very different than in private sector," he said. The school board's legal council says the investigation is still ongoing. Legal Statement. 0:45 One day after the deadly insurrection in Washington, a Pennsylvania school district announced it was suspending a teacher who, the district asserted, was 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. Teacher Suspended After Jan. 6 Fired for Not Working. A mob of pro-Trump extremistsstormed the CapitolWednesday in an attempt todisrupt Congress from certifying the Electoral College results. Lawmakers gathered again Wednesday night and certifiedJoe Biden's victoryearly Thursday morning. Suspended Allentown teacher says he wasn't at U.S. Capitol He called the districts actions defamatory and said they have destroyed [his clients] life.. All Rights Reserved. Parker and School Board President Morning Call reporter Peter Hall can be reached at 610-820-6581 or peter.hall@mcall.com. Venturing into highly polarized politics of racial justice also cost a middle school teacher in Georgia her job after she wrote a racist social media post about a Black Lives Matter demonstration during a local Halloween parade. Pennsylvania teacher suspended after Jan. 6 riot fired for At the same time, the district has an obligation to respect the First Amendment rights of our staff and students. 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 unnamed educator was among a number of people who have reportedly been fired or asked to resign from jobs after being identified as a Capitol rioter, The Morning Call in Allentown reported. Wisconsin Legislators to Consider Opioid Settlement Payout. 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. That the initial statement from Allentown Superintendent Thomas Parker placed the staff member directly at the United States Capitol Building, and that the district has not corrected this association, amounts to grounds for a defamation lawsuit, Malofiy argued. Teacher suspended for attending Capitol 'Stop Allentowns school board policy on freedom of speech outside of school echoes the precedent laid out in the courts, balancing those First Amendment freedoms with the interests of this district. School board President Nancy Wilt said the board would not comment on personnel matters as it waits for the investigation to conclude. 2976 days ago By A letter from the Allentown superintendent over the unidentified teacher reminded educators to be careful what they post and share online because of how it could affect their students and colleagues. Social media footage of thechaosshowedthe pro-Trump mob toppling barricades, scaling the building and smashing windows. or redistributed. The court ruled that the questionnaire disrupted the office and dealt with office politics and not matters of public concern. Mr. Moorehead claims the district called him an active participant in the riots, but that they they knew he was never part of it. "This man is teaching history of all subjects to an 80% minority district, how is this even acceptable?" "I'm being fired for refusing to come to a place that is unsafe, a situation you guys created. Morning Call reporter Sarah M. Wojcik can be reached at 610-778-2283 or swojcik@mcall.com. The teacher has been relieved of his duties until the investigation plays out, Superintendent Thomas Parker wrotein a letterThursday evening. And the rest are too afraid to stand up and do whats right, Moorehead said Thursday night. The superintendent continued, "We understand that many members of our community are upset by the image. Allentown Teacher's Raub Middle School teacher Jason Mooreheads social media posts from the Jan. 6 rally for former President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., began circulating in Allentown on the afternoon when the world watched in horror as protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol. The uproar was enough for Allentown School District to suspend him with pay while it investigated his involvement in the days events. He explained his position on those posts to Action News: "There had been riots and protests, where they were excused away that the damage that was done was acceptable, because buildings and private businesses were insured. Allentown teacher suspended during probe into riot fired If it turns out that while he was down there he was one of these guys running around without a shirt on putting his feet up on peoples desks, we would have a very different case.. : Local economists weigh in after 3rd bank failure in last 2 months, Baby alligator temporarily staying in the Poconos after being found at sewage plant in Allentown, LVHN offering 2nd dose of bivalent COVID-19 booster shot for people 65 and older, immunocompromised people, Work to replace busy bridge connecting Lehigh, Northampton counties is underway; there's some good news for commuters, Allentown Service Plaza to close at night during the week as crews do paving work, High Delaware River water levels lead to additional safety requirements at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area this week, Gov. His termination was in no way connected to his activities on that date, the districts attorneys John E. Freund, III, and Brian J. Taylor said in a statement. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. 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. He told the school board Thursday night he went to Washington to hear some speeches, but I was never a part of any violence. Thus, Zirkel said, courts use a three-part test to determine if a public employee is protected by the First Amendment: Was the expression part of the employees duties, or was it as a private citizen? Pa. teacher suspended after Jan. 6 fired for not working - ABC27 Jason Moorehead said he was never at the Capitol when the violence erupted and only attended Trump's speech about a mile away. Like us on Facebook: PhillyVoice My reputation and character have been destroyed: Allentown 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? This spring, Le Creuset has introduced an exciting new shade thats already selling fast: shallot, a soft lavender with pink and slight gray undertones. You have permission to edit this article. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. "And so there's never been a single thing that that that has ever been accused about me. Market data provided by Factset. Error! "We understand that many members of our community are upset by the image," the letter said. Teachers union President Mark Leibold did not respond to multiple messages seeking comment. His termination was in no way connected to his activities on that date, the districts attorneys John E. Freund, III, and Brian J. Taylor said in a statement. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. teacher 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 You dont know about the 18 years I spent of giving my life to this Raub community. 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. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. The Allentown School District called the allegations false. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. WebA student at Dieruff High School in Allentown who had been suspended will now face charges in connection with a teacher's fall from the gym's bleachers last week. Allentown School District said in a letter Jan. 8 that it was investigating the teachers presence at the event but did not name him or the school where he worked. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Know Your Rights: School Dress Codes and Uniforms "And there's so many issues that matter to me on both sides," he added. When the district finally admitted to me privately that I had done nothing wrong and that I could return, they refused to let the community know that I am safe, to alleviate both their fears and my fears about returning, he said. Im being fired for refusing to come to a place that is unsafe, a situation you guys created.. The Social Studies teachers controversial social media posts had drastic consequences. All rights reserved. The district has received notice Moorehead plans to take legal action in Lehigh County Court, but a complaint has not yet been filed. Moorehead, who has been teaching at the district for 17 years, appeared on Michael Smerconishs morning show on CNN Saturday with Malofiy. After the districts investigation was complete, he was given the opportunity to return to work, but would have been reassigned, Freund said. Later, he reposted someone elses tweet saying Dont worry everyone, the capitol is insured, adding This, to show his approval. Jason Moorehead, who taught at Raub Middle School, addressed the school board Thursday night after a unanimous 9-0 vote to terminate him. 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. Asked what he was trying to convey with the posts, Moorehead said during a CNN interview on Jan. 23 that he was not mocking Black Lives Matter or antifa. Ive been bullied and I dont want my family, my co-workers, my students to feel they shouldnt defend their First Amendment protections.. No," he said. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Pa. Teacher Suspended After Jan. 6 Fired for Not Working - US Perry Zirkel, a retired Lehigh University professor and expert in education law, said a school district would be unable to justify terminating a teacher on the basis of endorsing a political candidate, even one as controversial as Trump, who is facing impeachment for a second time for inciting his followers to storm the Capitol. Seventy people had been arrested as of Thursday night, including 13 Pennsylvania residents. Partly to mostly cloudy, brisk, and cool. "I have some conservative values," he said. A woman was fatally shot during Wednesdays riot, a Capitol Police officer later died of injuries suffered in the unrest and three others died of medical emergencies, police said. "We believe that all individuals have the right to an opinion, but when beliefs and opinions devolve into illegal and violent activities, there will be no tolerance," the college said in a statement.
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