IRVINE : College Plans to Fire Teacher Who Sued

An Irvine Valley College writing instructor, who in January won a lawsuit against the Saddleback Community College District over a student’s changed grade, was given notice this week that the district plans to fire him.

Hugh W. Glenn, who has worked as a teacher at the college for 14 years, received a “statement of charges” and “notice of and statement of decision to dismiss” from college officials Tuesday morning as he walked to his office.

Glenn was allowed to collect his belongings, then was escorted off the campus by college police, officials said.

Diane Riopka, the district’s public information director, said the action resulted from Glenn’s conduct in the classroom. “He has been charged with unprofessional conduct and evident unfitness of service,” Riopka said.

Riopka denied Glenn’s contention that the dismissal is related to his lawsuit, which was filed after college administrators changed one of his students’ grades from a D to a C over his objections.

On Jan. 8, a Superior Court commissioner ruled that administrators shouldn’t have changed the grade and ordered that the D be restored.

“We categorically deny that the action is related to his lawsuit,” Riopka said.

Glenn, however, strongly disagreed. “It is obvious that the notice to terminate is related to the winning of the lawsuit against the district,” he said.

He also criticized the district for removing him from his English and reading classes with only four weeks left in the term.

Glenn will probably challenge the dismissal and request an appeal hearing. If a hearing is set, Glenn’s fate would be decided either by an arbitrator or an administrative law judge.