Kearny BOE settles with LaClair over proselytizing teacher

by: FogerRox

Tue May 15, 2007 at 09:58:02 PM EDT

On the right:Matt LaClair at a recent Hudson County DFA meeting.

This is what she said: We don't believe in that evolution stuff

by: FogerRox

Wed Mar 21, 2007 at 12:01:45 AM EDT

Oh... kay....

To borrow a line from Warner Wolf, lets go to the video tape....

Click To Play Flash video

 

Broadband, good quality, this can be played on a large screen.

Click To Play Hi-resolution wmv

 

"This Republican Party of Lincoln has become a party of theocracy."
U.S. Representative Christopher Shays, R-CT, (New York Times 3/23/05)

Paul LaClair visits Hudson DFA & Paul Aronsohn drops by

by: FogerRox

Thu Mar 15, 2007 at 02:26:20 AM EDT

Is was great to meet the LaClair family, Paul wasn't sure he could stay for long, but Matts compelling story and the ensuing discussion went on for over an hour. We talked about Dominionism and the Rapture, but most important was Matts story.

Proselytizing teacher in Kearny..... a repeat offender ?

by: FogerRox

Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 01:45:14 AM EDT

The BLUE JERSEY folks have been blogging on this issue as far back as "njdem" on Feb 19th, Nick Lento did a follow up on Feb 21st, and the father of the 17 yr old student, Paul LaClair's diary of Feb 26th, Nick Lento then posted some video on Feb 27th, as well as my own  hack job on March 8th.

Since David Paszkiewicz has been teaching in Kearny for 14 years, I had wondered if this proselytizing was new behavior, or a long term trend. If its been a trend, and the BOE knew and did nothing, its a great issue to elect new BOE members on.

So after trading emails with Paul LaClair, I hit the google, and here is what I found....

NJ's OTHER Religious Discrimination Problem

by: Thurman Hart

Mon Mar 12, 2007 at 01:35:34 PM EDT

Now we have some news that Newark is miffed that it can't be known as the center of small-minded bigotry.  My friend Chuck Currie, over at Street Prophets, tells us of the West Side High saga.

The Star-Ledger has the breakdown:

ACTION ALERT~Stop Creationism, Support Paul LaClair, attend Kearny BOE meeting March 19th.

by: FogerRox

Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 06:20:26 PM EST

Matthew LaClair is the student at the center of attention over the issue of church and state in public schools.

LaClair accuses his history teacher, David Paszkiewicz, of going overboard when it comes to teaching religion in class at Kearny High School.

"He seemed to get nastier and nastier," LaClair said. "So on the third day, I just started recording."

More:

Stop Dominionism in Kearny

by: Paul LaClair

Mon Feb 26, 2007 at 10:30:00 AM EST

My seventeen-year-old son is at the center of a "controversy" about a history teacher who was misusing his position to proselytize biblical fundamentalism (he is a Baptist) in a public school. Among the many galling aspects of this saga is that the matter is considered a controversy at all.

This teacher did not merely say "Jesus loves you," or lead a prayer. He told high school juniors who do not share his beliefs that they "belong in hell" --- not merely that they will go to hell, but that they belong there.

In the face of my son's obvious skepticism, he dogmatically asserted that the universe must have been created by a being. On this and many other points, he was not expressing a mere opinion, but stating his beliefs as fact.

how many high school teachers are publicly called "ignorant and scientifically illiterate" by a world-renowned astrophysicist?He dismissed evolution and the big bang in favor of biblical creationism, in direct violation of settled Constitutional law. Quite apart from the illegality of this behavior, his "knowledge" of science is questionable to say the least. After all, how many high school teachers are publicly called "ignorant and scientifically illiterate" by a world-renowned astrophysicist? He also implied that all non-conservatives (we can only imagine what he means by that) are like Nazi appeasers.

He even had the audacity to tell my son that if he is sincerely seeking, he will "put his hand into Jesus' side," implying that the young man's mother and I are not sincere in our religious beliefs. Where I was raised, that sort of thing would be considered --- let's put it charitably --- rude.

Since my son reported this misbehavior, Mr. Paszkiewicz and his apologists have persisted in a series of denials, obfuscations and shell-gaming that would make Karl Rove proud. True to form, Paszkiewicz and his radical-right apologists have circled the wagons around him with a pitiful collection of arguments, including the notion that my son somehow forced him to say these outrageous things. Next they'll be telling us that Matthew can walk on water.

Do not underestimate for one moment what is at stake here. This sort of thing goes on in the Bible belt all the time. Looking at the abuse my son has endured ten miles west of Manhattan, can you imagine what would happen to a student who had the courage to report something like this in those parts of this country?

Paszkiewicz's behavior is part of a movement called dominionism: right wing Christians literally and fervently believe that because most Americans are Christian, they have the right to have dominion over everyone else. History tells us where that leads, as group after group is dropped from the list of the acceptable. We are confident the vast majority of Americans reject this dark vision.

[Editor's note] What you can do:

1. Support the ACLU, PFAW and Americans United.
   
2. Send letters to the Jersey Journal, Star-Ledger and/or Kearny Observer.
   
3. Participate at www.kearnyontheweb.com.
   
4. Attend the next Board of Education meeting on March 19 at 7pm at Franklin School, 100 Davis Avenue in Kearny.
   
5. Send the Board of Education (100 Davis Avenue, Kearny, NJ 07032) letters of protest and calls for action: (a) school-wide assemblies to correct Paszkiewicz's mis-statements of science and educate students on the First Amendment and (b) rescind the no-recording-without-consent policy at least until after a suitable time and after thorough public input and discussion.

The Chronicles of Kearnya: Let's Go to the Audiotape

by: Steven Hart

Sat Feb 24, 2007 at 04:14:54 PM EST

Click over to the site and you'll get the audio recording that student Matthew LaClair made when he sat down with the school principal to talk about his complaint that Paszkiewicz was neglecting pedagogy for proselytization. It's not a very attractive performance by either the teacher or the administrators in the room. Paszkiewicz is allowed to speak pretty much without interruption; once LaClair starts speaking, he is constantly interrupted and contradicted, often before he can complete a single thought. Many of us are a long time out of public school, and this recording will be a useful reminder of all the overbearing ways adults use their authority on youngsters. LaClair keeps his cool long past the point when many other teenagers would have crumpled. This is not a guy you want to play against in a poker match.

News Round-up and Open Thread for Tuesday, February 20, 2007

by: Sharon GR

Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 09:30:14 AM EST

• Civil Unions still top the news, with many stories of happy couples lining up to commit as partners for life. Most stories have discussed the legal implications of Civil Unions and mentioned that most couples still hope for marriage equality.
• Now that Civil Unions are the law here in Our Fair State, the world didn't end nor did the sky fall; but you couldn't tell that to some idiots. 
• Speaking of morons, the Star-Ledger did an article this morning about young adults and teenagers who don't think the videos of themselves that they post online have any bearing on their real lives. Wait'll some prospective employer types their name into Google...
• Kearny High School junior Matthew LaClair has announced that he plans to sue the district for penalizing him when he spoke out about a teacher and made recordings. The ACLU has weighed in; Steven Hart has more.
• Pedestrian safety isn't increasing, according to a report by watchdog group Tri-State Transportation Campaign. Pedestrian fatalities increased last year despite the State's efforts to increase safety.
• The League of Municipalities has formed a task force to determine study illegal immigrants and their impact on Our Fair State. Some experts estimate that there may be as many as one million illegals here in an "underground community."
• Army Warrant Officer John A. Quinlan, formerly of Bradley Beach, died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan on Sunday. He was one week shy of 37 years old; he leaves behind a wife and three daughters.

With the ACLU, 'American' Comes First

by: Steven Hart

Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 08:30:37 AM EST

The ludicrous saga of David Paszkiewicz, the Preachin' Teacher of Kearny High School, is poised to enter the same right-wing fantasy realm where Iraq is a budding wonderland of freshly painted schools, Hillary Clinton is plotting to turn all Americans into lesbian abortionists, and Terri Schiavo would even now be water-skiing off the Florida Keys if she hadn't been murdered by euthanasia-crazed liberals.

Yesterday's announcement that the American Civil Liberties Union and the People For the American Way Foundation are gearing up to take legal action against the Kearny Board of Education is sure to send the Bill O'Reilly types into orbit.

ACLU will support Kearny Student

by: Jason Springer

Mon Feb 19, 2007 at 04:23:42 PM EST

The American Civil Liberties union is backing a Kearny High School student who objected when a teacher made religious statements in the classroom, including allegedly telling students that those who do not believe Jesus died for their sins belong in hell.

"I believe it is important to stand up for our constitutional rights and to make sure that these violations of the First Amendment, which apparently have been going on for years, are stopped once and for all," junior Matthew LaClair said at a news conference Monday in Newark.

The Chronicles of Kearnya: The Saga Continues

by: Steven Hart

Mon Feb 19, 2007 at 12:12:40 AM EST

Though it's possible that young master LaClair may be planning to make a prediction of which character will be killed off in the upcoming Harry Potter novel, it's far more likely that he'll be there to offer his thoughts on the board's "Don't Bother Asking and Don't Even Try to Tell Us" philosophy for dealing with educational malfeasance.

You'll recall that LaClair taped-recorded history teacher David Paszkiewicz informing his captive audience that evolution and the Big Bang were an unscientific hoax, that dinosaurs were part of the cargo on Noah's Ark, and that only those who were down with the wingnut program were going to get a pass through the pearly gates. The school board responded with a number of weak-kneed measures, the most odious of which was to ban all future taping within classrooms - the only way LaClair had been able to prove his complaints in the first place.

The board meeting will be at 7 p.m. at Washington School in Kearny. I'm not saying you should go, but if you did, your rational well-mannered presence might help counterbalance the mob of religious hysterics that will probably be there as well. The values of American civilization have to be defended in all sorts of unexpected places, and if Kearny is one of them, so be it.

Cross posted at The Opinion Mill.

The Final Word on What's the Matter With Kearny?

by: JRB

Wed Feb 07, 2007 at 10:49:16 AM EST

But that wasn't it. Up until a few days ago, the history teacher, David Paszkiewicz, was still teaching the class with the student who taped him in it -- even after Paszkiewicz insinuated that the student was part of "an effort afoot to undermine the very underpinnings of our freedoms." Perhaps Paszkiewicz thought the school board's deliberations were taking so long because they were unfolding this dastardly plot? Or maybe he thought the school board would say, 'Tell whoever you want that they're going straight to hell,' and he'd have the same captive audience to judge?

So, you can imagine his disappointment when the school board informed him that, legally, he was way out of line (even with the consolation that his students can now be punished for taping without his permission). As a result, Paszkiewicz has requested and been granted a classroom change. School officials have declined to comment.

And so, after nearly five months, the controversy in Kearny comes to a close -- at least until Paszkiewicz opens his mouth again.

The Chronicles of Kearnya, or, Principles of Evolution Observed in the Field at Kearny High School

by: Steven Hart

Fri Feb 02, 2007 at 01:46:26 PM EST

Like evolution, the school board worked very slowly. Presented with a fall incident in which Paszkiewicz (whose official designation is that of a history teacher) denounced evolution as "unscientific" and told a Muslim girl she was bound for hell unless she got down with the Christianist program, the board waited until January to take any kind of action.

Like any organism caught up in the endless competition of life that powers evolutionary processes, the board also adopted a number of survival strategies.

Kearny School Board Reaction to Student Taping Teacher's Sermon: 'No More Taping'

by: JRB

Thu Feb 01, 2007 at 08:04:08 PM EST

Kearny school officials have certainly taken their time in handling the incident, which occurred at the start of the school year and became public in November.

In December, the Kearny school board continued to obfuscate who was at fault, silently implicating the young student who had secretly taped Paszkiewicz's classroom sermons for fear officials wouldn't believe him. In January, the teacher published a rambling letter in the local paper, explaining why the Constitution allows him to tell his students they are going to hell. He even insinuated the student who taped him was a part of a broader conspiracy:

It is my firm conviction that there is an effort afoot to undermine the very underpinnings of our freedoms.

Student's Recording of Teacher's Views Leads to a Ban on Taping

After a public school teacher was recorded telling students they belonged in hell if they did not accept Jesus as their savior, the school board has banned taping in class without an instructor's permission, and has added training for teachers on the legal requirements for separating church and state.

And while the school board says they've taken some undefined "corrective action" against the teacher, Paszkiewicz still seems intent on berating anyone who disagrees with him.

Meanwhile, [the student] said that Mr. Paszkiewicz recently told the class that scientists who spoke about the danger of global warming were using tactics like those Hitler used, by repeating a lie often enough that people come to believe it.

Kearny Board of Education Blinks

by: JayMonster

Thu Jan 18, 2007 at 10:08:17 AM EST

Intertwined with the usual expected rhetoric of:

the district fully supports and complies with the requirements of the U.S. Constitution with regard to personal religious beliefs of teachers in the classroom.

(as if they had a "choice" in the matter), and cover your ass statements like:

The memo clearly says the district took appropriate action when they were informed of the situation involving teacher David Paszkiewicz and student Matt LaClair.

(is allowing this to fester until it is clear that it will not just "go away" really appropriate action?), what you find is that "going forward steps" appears to be either a Settlement with the LaClair family or an effort to block a lawsuit.

First, every teacher in the Kearny school district will be required to take part in in-service training on Constitutional parameters.

A professional, qualified to teach such a "course," will be brought in by the district to train teachers and staff

It is sad that this step needs to be taken, but based on his letter to the editor, this is a necessary step, if not for all teachers, but at least for Paszkiewicz who in a letter to the editor still exposed to the world that he just doesn't get it.

What confuses me most is the next part.  Unless of course it is part of some sort of settlement:

Next, the district will adopt a formal policy "expressing its strong commitment to the principle that personal religious beliefs of our institutional staff have no place in our classrooms."

Why do they need to "adopt a formal policy" for this? It is the Law!  Do they need policies that tell them they are supposed to follow the law? I mean, it is even spelled out for them by the Secretary of Education:

"The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the First Amendment requires public school officials to be neutral in their treatment of religion, showing neither favoritism toward nor hostility against religious expression such as prayer. [ 1 ] Accordingly, the First Amendment forbids religious activity that is sponsored by the government but protects religious activity that is initiated by private individuals, and the line between government-sponsored and privately initiated religious expression is vital to a proper understanding of the First Amendment's scope. As the Court has explained in several cases, "there is a crucial difference between government speech endorsing religion, which the Establishment Clause forbids, and private speech endorsing religion, which the Free Speech and Free Exercise Clauses protect." [ 2]

Such conduct is "attributable to the State" and thus violates the Establishment Clause. [ 3 ]

It is fortunate in this case that the student's father is an attorney, I am not so sure, the BoE would have drawn these same conclusions if a lawsuit wasn't hanging over their heads.  Either way I am very happy that it has been resolved properly.

[ 1 ] See, e.g., Everson, 330 U.S. at 18 (the First Amendment "requires the state to be a neutral in its relations with groups of religious believers and non-believers; it does not require the state to be their adversary. State power is no more to be used so as to handicap religions than it is to favor them"); Good News Club v. Milford Cent. Sch., 533 U.S. 98 (2001).

[ 2 ] Santa Fe Indep. Sch. Dist. v. Doe, 530 U.S. 290, 302 (2000) (quoting Board of Educ. v. Mergens, 496 U.S. 226, 250 (1990) (plurality opinion)); accord Rosenberger v. Rector of Univ. of Virginia, 515 U.S. 819, 841 (1995).

[ 3 ] See Weisman, 505 U.S. at 587.

The Fighting 32nd

by: ModerateObserver

Tue Jan 16, 2007 at 09:41:35 AM EST

This district has a high population of Latino and foreign-born voters, each representing four out of ten constituents.

This district is also among the bluest in New Jersey, at least by registration. 42% of voters affiliate with the Democrats here, a nearly 5-1 advantage over the GOP. In a good Democratic year like 2005, the district votes more than 75% for Democratic candidates.

Senator Nicholas Sacco leads the delegation. He is North Bergen's Mayor and School Superintendent. In the Senate since 1994, he has faced little opposition since. He has been an advocate for urban enterprise zones as well as law and order on drugs and prisoner issues. Assemblywoman Joan Quigley of Jersey City Heights, also in since 1994. is a known advocate for health issues. Vincent Prieto, a Cuban-American, was selected in 2004 to replace the ethically challenged Anthony Impreveduto. Prieto, a building code inspector in Secaucus, serves as Deputy Majority Whip, and having met him a great addition to the Legislature.

Issues of land use, particularly with the Sports and Exposition Authority, affect the district. The heavily Democratic nature of the 32nd makes general elections a formality, but a primary challenge to Quigley from Jersey City Councilman William Gaughan in December 2006 was deftly avoided by some work between the Hudson County Democrats and Governor Jon Corzine.

Pushed to Act

by: JayMonster

Tue Jan 16, 2007 at 09:12:01 AM EST

From 18 I was always proud to vote.  In my 20's I started donating some to worthwhile causes, and continued to vote.  My 30's saw me actually get more involved in understanding the issues at hand, reading and being informed, and at times sharing that knowledge with others where possible.

Along comes George W. Bush, and I find myself now starting to fight for Democracy and our way of life.  Donating to PACs and time to candidates that support Progressive values, I no longer sit back and just wait for the next election to come around.  I learn we can't wait that long.

But through all of this, I have for the most part stayed on the sidelines.  Being a supporter of the cause of saving our world from the wingnuts and neocons.  That is until, David Paszkiewicz, opened his mouth.

Religious Blarney From Deepest Kearny

by: Steven Hart

Sun Jan 14, 2007 at 12:23:57 AM EST

Paszkiewicz's letter is apparently an extended cut-and-paste job from the Web site of WallBuilders, a Christianist group founded by pseudo-historian David Barton. Barton's shtick is to cherry-pick lines from letters and speeches in order to push the notion that the doctrine of separation between church and state is "a myth," and that the Founding Fathers were in actuality a jolly bunch of Jesus-whoopin' Bible thumpers who could scarcely be bothered to pause to sign the Declaration of Independence before rushing off to conduct full-immersion baptisms in the Delaware River.

Teacher: 'You Belong in Hell.' Kearny School Board: 'Stuff Happens.'

by: JRB

Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 12:21:09 PM EST

To recap, the student, Matt LeClair, "felt uncomfortable with Mr. Paszkiewicz's statements in the first week, and taped eight classes starting Sept. 13 out of fear that officials would not believe the teacher had made the comments."

The class started on Sept. 11, and Matthew quickly grew concerned. "The first couple of days I had him, he had already begun discussing his religious point of view.... It wasn't even just his point of view, it went beyond that to say this is the right way, this is the only way. The way he said it, I wasn't sure how far he was going to go."

"If you reject his gift of salvation, then you know where you belong," Mr. Paszkiewicz was recorded saying of Jesus. "He did everything in his power to make sure that you could go to heaven, so much so that he took your sins on his own body, suffered your pains for you, and he's saying, `Please, accept me, believe.' If you reject that, you belong in hell."

As of now, Matthew's request "for an apology and for the teacher to correct any false statements he had made in class, particularly those related to science," have been ignored. A lawyer for the Kearny school board told the Times,

The teacher is monitored, and his or her evaluation could be noted ... adding that if these steps did not work, the teacher could be reprimanded, suspended or, eventually, fired.

As for the request that Mr. Paszkiewicz correct his statements that conflict with the district's science curriculum, "Sometimes, the more you dwell on the issue, the more you continue the issue.... Sometimes, it's better to stop any inappropriate behavior and move on."

Paszkiewicz was a history teacher. Telling minors -- students he was capable of disciplining and whose grades he controlled -- that they were going to hell if they didn't think the way he did.

Clearly, Paszkiewicz was in the wrong, and Matthew was in the right. The school's notion that things will sort themselves out puts them in the wrong as well. The school board should affirm that Matthew did the right thing, rather than let their silence paint him as an agitator.