From Boos to Cheers : Students Hail Return of Arts High Teacher After Controversy Over Outcry at Play

Facing a torrent of criticism, the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts on Thursday reinstated a dance teacher who lost his job because he booed a satirical student sketch that was loaded with racial overtones.

The case of Don Bondi quickly became a lightning rod in Southern California for the often-competing interests of free speech and so-called political correctness. It was rooted in a prolonged behind-the-scenes debate at the Eastside arts school over how to increase participation of racial minorities without tampering with artistic freedom.

County school officials reassigned Bondi, who is white, to a desk job at another school in April after he booed a student Mexican-heritage production in which Gov. Pete Wilson was portrayed as a buffoonish racist. The outburst occurred when the curtain fell on the hourlong production. A Latina school board member, whose son was in the play, immediately chastised Bondi, telling him to “control your racism,” and transferred him later that day.

In response, Bondi’s dance students and other arts students, representing a variety of ethnic groups and races, launched a letter-writing campaign, staged demonstrations and posted signs reading: “Truth Is Mighty and Will Prevail.”

When Bondi stepped back into the school’s dance studio Thursday, students shouted and rushed at him, embracing the 61-year-old dance department chairman in a group hug.

Bondi’s eyes filled with tears as he thanked his students, and the pianist burst into a snappy rendition of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”

“I learned that you can make a difference, and yes, one person can do it, but only when that one person gets the support I got,” Bondi said.

What may have convinced school officials to reverse themselves was the American Civil Liberties Union’s threat to file a lawsuit Thursday alleging that Bondi’s 1st Amendment rights as a teacher had been violated.

“This is a good lesson for students about the importance of robust political debate,” said Ramona Ripston, executive director of the ACLU of Southern California. “This was a political satire and Mr. Bondi booed; he didn’t stop the production. It’s a lesson that students learned . . . that the 1st Amendment protects both popular and unpopular views.”

School officials, who reinstated Bondi hours before a deadline set by the ACLU, denied the threatened suit influenced them, and declined to explain their decision. Frank Kwan, director of communications for the county Office of Education, said school officials plan to meet today to discuss “trying to make Bondi’s transition (back to school) as smooth as possible.” Another official, Philip Rocha, insisted that the transfer had followed county education personnel rules.

Bondi’s reinstatement is not likely to end the controversy, which has aroused deep feelings about racial issues and, some say, could trigger protests against the teacher’s presence.

His reassignment was a blow to the small, close-knit Arts High, which is located on the Cal State L.A. campus and draws 480 students from districts countywide.

“Mr. Bondi was like a father to the (dance) department, to us,” said Veronica De La Rosa, a 17-year-old junior and dance major. “Without him, it was a disaster.”

De La Rosa attended the performance that threatened to derail Bondi’s teaching career. When she saw him boo, she was not surprised. Bondi had always been outspoken, she said, and he had always urged students to voice their opinions.

“We are taught that art has to be either criticized or appreciated--one or the other,” De La Rosa said.

The show that triggered Bondi’s outburst featured a young actor who, portraying Wilson, launched into a rambling monologue.

“Don’t get me wrong, I am not racist,” the Wilson character said. “I love Mexicans--everyone should have one.”

When the character finished, Bondi was part of an audience chorus of boos and hisses. Some agreed with the portrayal, and others--including Bondi--were offended by the caricature.

After the show, county Board of Education Vice President Maria Elena Gaitan reprimanded Bondi and accused him of being racist. She did not return phone calls seeking comment Thursday.

Bondi said the seven-week ordeal has caused him to reconsider his behavior.

“The booing really resulted in harm to the very people I didn’t want to harm, the young people,” he said. “Probably what I would do is demand another assembly to discuss the issues.”

Bondi said he has received more than 100 phone calls and received scores of letters from supporters since his reassignment became public in a May 30 Times article, including words of encouragement from a high school friend he had not heard from in 34 years.

Several teachers said they were delighted by Bondi’s return, though few wished to discuss the controversy.

“I’m just happy he’s back--he’s a valuable person,” said Ka-Ron Brown, a dance teacher.

Bondi’s waiting students were exuberant Thursday as they gathered to greet him before class. Most were clad in leotards and sweat pants, ready to dance. But several others, like Justin Wheeler, a senior theater student, had no intention of joining the class; he merely wanted to welcome Bondi.

“There are laws, not just legal law but moral laws,” Wheeler said. “We are artists. We believe in freedom of speech.”

Bondi arrived, hugged his students one by one, then scooted into the dance studio, where the class had already begun, and took his place at the front.

“I have just two words,” he told them. “Thank you.”

And with that, the dancing began.

Times staff writer Dean Murphy contributed to this story.