Posted on 10/14/2009 3:12:59 AM PDT by markomalley
GENEVA Geneva School Board members voted Tuesday night to issue a warning against a Geneva High School teacher, who a student claimed made a homosexual slur in his classroom last week.
The notice against teacher David Burk states that any further improprieties could result in dismissal.
Geneva High School senior Jordan Hunter, who is gay and said he was personally offended by the remark, did not think the board's action went far enough. He believed Burk should have been fired.
"I'm just disappointed," Hunter said. "I'm shocked, really. This is not an acceptable end result."
According to Hunter, Burk said during a classroom lecture on Oct. 5, "How do you feel about your tax dollars being spent to fund black [homosexual slur] taking pictures of other black [homosexual slur] in New York?"
"It was in extremely poor judgment," said Hunter, who attended the board meeting. "Not only is it a homophobic remark, it is also a racist remark."
Hunter said Burk made the comment while talking about how tax monies are used for the National Endowment for the Arts.
School board Vice President Tim Moran said the warning notice sets the stage for harsher action if such behavior takes place again.
"The reality is that there are legal steps that have to be taken," Moran said. "The step we took we believe to be the harshest we can as it stands now."
Burk did not attend Tuesday's meeting. But his attorney, D.J. Tegeler, said that Burk regrets making any comment that would offend a student and would personally apologize to Hunter if given the opportunity. Tegeler said he didn't know what exact remark was made.
"His intention was to teach," Tegeler said. "It was not to degrade anyone. He will work in the future to make sure it never happens again."
He apologized to students in each of his consumer education classes Tuesday for the remark he made last week.
"These words were inappropriate, and I am truly sorry for my actions," the apology stated. "The message I conveyed was insensitive and hurtful. That is not what I had intended."
Burk also said in the apology that he promises to learn from the experience and he plans to be more aware of how his words may impact others.
Supporting Hunter at the meeting was fellow senior Lexie Tomchek, a friend of Hunter's. She also said Burk should be fired.
"He has exhibited characteristics a teacher should not have," she said. "His judgment was so horrific, I don't know why he should keep his job."
Coulda been a linguistics lesson. You try saying “black fag” over and over.
Geneva High School senior Jordan Hunter, who is gay and said he was personally offended by the remark,
Too bad. You made a choice that is going to haunt you for the rest of your life. Better get used to being offended and worse.. Once you decide to live a lifestyle of perversion and disease you have to accept the consequences that go along with that.
Oh and by the way. NO ONE has any rights never to be offended. Can’t find that clause in the Constituion anywhere........
So now black smokers have a special protected class? /british
Are they calling each other “black fags”? (It would be a pun, since a cigarette is sometimes called a “fag.”) If so, WHAT a double standard.
These words were inappropriate, and I am truly sorry for my actions,” the apology stated. “The message I conveyed was insensitive and hurtful. That is not what I had intended
Grow a spine Mr Burk You made the comment and frankly there was nothing wrong with it.Tired of everyone being offended by everything. What a bunch of sheep...
If the teacher in question had said 'how do you feel about your tax dollars being spent on non essential things under the National Endowment for the Arts such as homosexuals taking pictures of other homosexuals', he would still be in trouble.
There is no way to be critical of the agenda of some groups in this country without consequences.
However a teacher is expected to at least encourage the students to look critically at policies such as NEA spending when the country could use that money for other things, such as (fill in with an explanation).
Why that sounds like a good homework assignment for students in a real school.
So, the Swiss believe in the thought police too. Who would have thought? People in Europe don’t understand individual freedom, but wasn’t the concept really defined there?
“Cant say black anything nowadays.”
Hell, if you think that’s bad, just think what black leaders in Cook County, IL get away with on a regular basis. Just the other day they came out and publicly said that Cook County voters must not divide black candidates in the county primary election because that would allow a white to win. My God, just think of the fallout if a wite had said that about blacks.
“The left-wing are in reality making an assualt on everyones rights with this type of fascist behavior.”
The left IS fascism, writ large.
“...but these people are really making it hard for me not to hate them (i.e., the left).”
Geez, I find it quite easy to hate them.
How can 2% of the population make so much noise?
Musn’t offend the Fudgepackers. Especially not the Black fudgepackers.
isnt political correctness just wonderful?
It’s OK in this country that 4000 poor innocent little babies, many blacks among them, are slaughtered because the GIRL having the abortion doesnt want the responsibility. She shouldnt have opened her legs then.
but what really ticks me off is the time wasted on some name calling. Who gives a crap about the word fag. You’re going to ruin this teachers career because of it when every liberal teacher across the country has carte blanche to say whatever they want to say because different standards of political correctness are held to them.
the country is insane.
My question is: Will the NEA (National Education Association) defend the teacher, or are they merely a fund raising instrument of the DNC?
Is Lexie Tomchek a he/she? Ghastly!!!
yeah, but then hetero males will lie, say they are homos, to be able to sleep with the naked girls.
They won’t get in any trouble for saying they are homos, and most girls are delighted to have homos as friends.
So no problem, eh!!
It’s appalling that a high school senior feels he has the right to rule on the future of someone’s teaching career just because he’s “offended”. Most high school seniors are idiots anyway, so what makes his judgement so special?
Looks like the empowered Gaystapo has a new recruit.
“I’m offended, you should be fired”. GRRRRR!!!!!
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