Posted on 12/05/2018 7:05:07 PM PST by csvset
WEST POINT, Va. (WRIC) -- Students and parents in West Point, a town roughly an hour east of Richmond, are rallying behind a teacher put on paid administrative leave following a transgender controversy at the school.
A French teacher at West Point High School, Peter Vlaming, is currently on paid administrative leave for not using a student's preferred identity pronoun.
8News reached out to the school for comment but West Point Public Schools cited the incident as "a personnel issue" and declined to respond about the status of Vlaming's case.
Students told 8News that Vlaming won't use male pronouns for a student who now identifies as a boy.
An online petition supporting Mr. Vlaming, which is titled "Don't terminate Mr. Vlaming," has over 1,000 signatures. The petition quotes Vlaming on his thoughts on the incident:
"I won't use male pronouns with a female student that now identifies as a male though I did agree to use the new masculine name but avoid female pronouns. Administration is requiring that I use masculine pronouns in any and every context at school. I was informed that any further instances of using female pronouns would be grounds for termination."
On Tuesday, 8News spoke with a West Point High School student who says he is also supporting Vlaming.
"I'm just outraged about it," said Forrest Rohde, a West Point High School junior. "He's a really nice guy, he wanted to do everything about his students. He really does care about his students. The thing he will not do is change his ways of thoughts and believing in things just to conform to someone else's ideologies."
Vlaming reportedly called a transgender student "she," but the student wants to be identified as a male.
"The transgender girl has the right to be whatever she wants but just because she has the right doesn't mean we're not obliged to follow her beliefs," Rohde said.
Rohde posted signs all over the school in support of the teacher after hearing Vlaming was put on administrative leave. The signs read: "Facts don't care about your feelings," "#Justice for Vlaming," and "Mr. Vlaming is innocent."
"I see this stuff on the news far away from here," Rohde said, "but when it hits close to home and someone's free speech is being violated, I have to step in and say something about it."
The school confirmed to 8News on Tuesday that Vlaming is currently on paid administrative leave and that Vlaming requested a public hearing:
Mr. Vlaming is currently on paid administrative leave, and West Point Public Schools has followed and will continue to follow Virginia Code and all local policies and procedures relating to licensed staff members. The grievance process, including the purpose/results of a hearing, is governed by Virginia Code.
Because this is a personnel issue, we are unable to provide specific information due to employee and student confidentiality. Mr. Vlaming has requested a public hearing and details regarding our recommendations will become public at that hearing. Until that time, it is important that we not only ensure the integrity of our employment process but also meet our responsibilities regarding safeguarding student confidentiality.
- Abel Laura, West Point Public Schools superintendent
Legal analyst Russ Stone told 8News that it's uncertain whether or not the school has grounds to fire Vlaming.
The school board scheduled the public hearing for Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. at West Point High School.
8News will be at the school board meeting on Thursday to share the latest.
So a girl wants to be called a boy and if the teacher doesn’t do it, the teacher must be fired. I guess biology classes have been banned at this school as well - or at least the lessons on chromosomes and genetics.
Literal insanity.
I went on to major in French at the University of Illinois, finishing my bachelor's degree at the University of Paris, La Sorbonne. After this, I lived in France for another 10 years, during which time I worked as a student minister, earned a theological degree, and met my wife. We moved to Williamsburg in 2004 where we currently reside with our three lovely children.
Sounds like a well qualified teacher. The school district would be willing to fire this guy if he doesnt kowtow to the Insanity. Sad.
I’m a BOY, I’m a boy!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRj-NokS2xI
I’m a BOY, I’m a boy!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRj-NokS2xI
It will be jnteresting to see what happens if this goes to court. I think the queers lose.
This is America. It is long past time to remove PC robots like Laura from any position of authority, or free speech is doomed.
“I won’t use male pronouns with a female student that now identifies as a male...”
Good for Vlaming.
When we acquiesce to lunacy, the other side wins. Imagine if everyone just stopped complying with whatever psycho du jure bullsh*t the left comes up with.
Im somewhat curious to see what the parent(s) of the special snowflake look like.
Im glad this isnt (yet) an issue at the more famous West Point.
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Although I am familiar with West Point VA, my first reaction was ‘Black Knights of the Hudson’
Shame ‘they’ have put ‘us’ in that frame of mind...
These dumb faggot losers need to be told to pound sand and use the boys bathrooms and showers
To date Ive not heard of a single trans boy (a real girl ). Asking to use the boys bathroom or shower. Not one.
Go figure
Don’t even need to rise up.
To paraphrase the Great Irish hero, Michael Collins: “Our greatest weapon is our refusal to obey.”
First amendment issue. School will lose.
The right case needs to be brought thru the courts so some day Scotus can put an end to this insanity!
Property taxes fund this school. If you do not pay those taxes the government takes your home
How does one know another’s “preferred identity pronoun”?
I thing I’ll just use “it” for everyone.
.
Zwar ist's mir nicht ganz klar, worauf Du hinaus willst, doch halte ich dies auch für 'nen großen Schlamassel."
Mit besten Grüßen
Or just “Hey, you!”
I thought my dyslexia was kicking in again.
Oh, Thank God that this isn’t what I thought it was.... Trannies at the United states Military Academy, commonly known as West Point, who get to dictate what the staff calls them..
Although I expect that to come by the time another Democrat is President.
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