Caleb Stegall issued the following statement today on behalf of his client, Tim Latham, in the wake of this afternoon’s decision by Superintendent Weseman that:
“Having considered all information submitted … I find that there were inconsistencies in the evaluation process. Because of my commitment to the highest standards, I conclude that Mr. Latham’s teaching contract with the District should, and will be continued for 2009-2010.”
With this ruling, Mr. Latham has been fully vindicated and, I am pleased to announce, will be returning to his old teaching post at Lawrence High School next year. This represents a tremendous victory for free speech, for the open and robust exchange of ideas, and for the American form of self-government. Mr. Latham’s victory demonstrates that where there is government abuse, ordinary citizens in America still have recourse to civic engagement and the mechanisms of self-government to correct those abuses. Today is a day the Lawrence community ought to take great pride in, and the bulk of the credit goes to Mr. Latham’s students who-contrary to the common characterizations of today’s youth as cynical and apathetic-took it upon themselves to engage the process and fight for what they valued.
Mr. Latham said of the ruling: “I couldn’t be more pleased with this outcome. While I am happy to have this behind me, and look forward to returning to LHS next fall, I will always be grateful to my students for actually putting what I teach into practice.”
That pretty much clears it up then. If there were valid reasons, the contract wouldn’t have been renewed.
Now, when exactly did it become wrong to love the American way of life, in America? When did that become offensive to anyone?
I wonder if the teacher got stuck with a big bill for having to have a lawyer.