Schools cut secret deals with abusive teachers

[flashl]

They call it “passing the trash,” and it’s a common policy that lets child abusers resign and move to another district

It would take months for the agency that licenses Oregon teachers to discipline a Salem-area teacher for inappropriately touching at least eight girls.

To get Kenneth John Cushing, then 44, away from Claggett Creek Middle School students immediately, administrators cut him a deal: If Cushing resigned, they would conceal his alleged conduct — clutching students’ waists, touching their buttocks and massaging their shoulders — from the public.

Cushing signed the pact — obtained by The Oregonian through public records requests — with Salem-Keizer Public Schools in 2004, and officials promised not to reveal the teacher’s behavior if potential employers called looking for a reference. They would attribute his departure to “personal reasons,” the document reads, and make “no reference to this agreement.”

...

During the past five years, nearly half of Oregon teachers disciplined for sexual misconduct with a child left their school districts with confidential agreements. Most, like Cushing’s, promised to keep alleged abuse quiet. Some promised cash settlements, health insurance and letters of recommendation as incentives for a resignation.

The practice is so widespread, school officials across the country call it “passing the trash.”

Oregon Live

[Hydra]

1. HA!

It's not just for Churches anymore!

Pardon me while I vomit...our lack of concern for children continues to bother me.

:puke:

[Trillo]

2. But didn't the few good teachers help?

Over the years I've heard that a really good teacher can help a former student feel that education overall wasn't such a waste. Everyone likely had one or two special teachers over their 13 years that reached them in a positive way. What is never mentioned is the effect of the truly bad teachers on students. I'd guess each student has contact with a similar number of truly horrible teachers.

Be positive. Only think of the good. Be happy.

[Layla_Z]

3. no wonder

Things like this happen and then we wonder why teachers don't have the respect they had 20 years ago. How do you fix a system that lets abusive teachers bounce around the state? It is a messed up system when the principal (immediate supervisor to the teacher) makes a recommendation to hire or fire but the school board who has no idea what actually has in the classroom can do whatever they want. I've seen good teachers fired in spite of glowing evaluations from the principal and I've seen terrible and even abusive teachers keep their job even when the principals are asking that they be fired. It makes no sense

[Sabriel]

4. We used to call it "The Dance of the Lemons"

There was an English teacher at our school that we reported to admin...who promptly "suggested" he find employment elsewhere. Then we heard he had gotten a job in California, so one of my more active colleagues called the principal there and shared her concerns.

I agree that this does happen, and it's shameful, but from an administrative p.o.v., you can certainly understand why they sometimes go at it this way.

That's not to be taken as an endorsement, of course.

[madeline_con]

6. I can't understand it at all.

Why wouldn't an administrator turn the teacher over to authorities?


And another thing I can't understand... The students' parents should prosecute. Every time.

[orangefire]

5. Ain't no teacher abusing my kids

Or I'll go Jackie Chan on them.