Failure gets a pass: a Times investigation
Kathleen Collins, associate general counsel for L.A. Unified, far left, and Trustee Marlene Canter with an example of the volume of legal documentation sometimes needed to dismiss a tenured teacher. Canter and a fellow trustee recently introduced measures to streamline the firing process, but after an hour of debate, the school board approved a milder motion to create a task force to discuss the issue further. (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)
Judith Perez, principal of Hancock Park Elementary School in Los Angeles, found herself stuck with a veteran teacher -- pushed out of another school -- whom she called “a total incompetent.” Perez committed herself to either making this teacher improve or forcing her out. “I was a [teachers] union leader, Perez said. I believe in teachers rights and protections.... But my bottom line is Im in this profession for children.... Basically, I dedicated my year to getting rid of this teacher. (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)
Joseph Walker, a former principal of Grant High School in Van Nuys, was sued by a special education teacher whom he tried to dismiss for alleged repeated sexual harassment. A civil jury sided with Walker but the review commission has decided the teacher shouldnt be fired. The case, now in the courts, has dragged on seven years. (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)
