Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. Does it make it more difficult for the school district to operate? said Hobie Webster, a Pittsburgh employment lawyer who represents school districts. District spokeswoman Melissa Reese referred questions to district solicitor John Freund III, who said the district is still conducting a full investigation of the teachers involvement and is unable to comment on details of the investigation, in the interest of proceeding in a professional and proper manner with all regards for the teachers rights.. This 13-year-old is headed to medical school a year after - Allentown Teacher's "You can have your job back. The court said that the importance of an employees statements on an issue of public importance must be balanced against any harm they cause the agency. "There is no agenda item related to action on any employee at this board meeting," said District Superintendent Thomas Parker atThursday's school board meeting. The teacher was not identified, nor was the school where he works. After the districts investigation was complete, he was given the opportunity to return to work, but would have been reassigned, Freund said. The Georgia appeals court reasoned that her post interfered with the operation of the middle school where she taught.. Jason Moorehead doesn't deny he is an unabashed Trump supporter. The school board fired Pickering, saying that his letter was rife with inaccuracies and its publication was detrimental to the school district. One person, Jason Jenkins, even called out the district's investigation. 0:45 One day after the deadly insurrection in Washington, a Pennsylvania school district announced it was suspending a teacher who, the district asserted, was Was the Allentown teacher suspended after attending This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Because of the emotion and controversy stirred by the events of January 6, 2021, the teacher has been temporarily relieved of his teaching duties until the School District can complete a formal investigation of his involvement," The Morning Call reported. In 1977, the court ruled that the First and 14th Amendments do not provide blanket protection in the case of a teacher who had argued with co-workers and cursed at students. 2023 WWB Holdings, LLC. No, period, he said. Schools cannot discriminate against you based on your sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Add Hannah's RSS feed to your feed reader Three others, including Benjamin Philips, 50, of Ringtown Pennsylvania, died of apparent medical emergencies during the chaos. Moorehead was officially reinstated in July 2021, after the investigation found he had violated the districts social media policies, but not its outside activities policy. I was trying to highlight what I believe is the double standard that often exists in the media when theyre looking at two different events from two different political groups, he told Smerconish. Jason Moorehead, who was suspended by the Allentown School District following the U.S. Capitol riots, claims his reputation as a teacher has been tarnished by ALLENTOWN A Pennsylvania teacher who was suspended last year during an investigation into his attendance at, and social media posts about, the Stop the Steal rally which later turned to a deadly insurrection on Jan. 6 has been fired for refusing to return to work. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - An Allentown middle school teacher who was placed on leave after attending a Trump rally in Washington D.C. on January 6 is n. teacher We walked around the Washington Monument, tried to get closer to the White House, ate a hot dog and then went back to the bus.. Texas attorney Paul Davis was fired or resigned from Goosehead Insurance after posting videos during the riot, The Houston Chronicle reported. First Amendment scholars weigh in, Few leads, false alarms as search for Texas gunman drags on, Serena Williams reveals second pregnancy at Met Gala, At least 6 dead after dust storm causes crashes on Illinois highway, May Day: Worlds workers rally, France sees pension anger, a victim of cancel culture and that his reputation has been destroyed, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Federal officials have been charging and arresting people in Pennsylvania and around the country for their alleged roles in breaching the building, damaging or stealing property inside and attacking law enforcement. The intrusion prompted lawmakers and Vice President Mike Pence to flee for safety. The school board's legal council says the investigation is still ongoing. I am none of those things, Moorehead said Thursday. The superintendent continued, "We understand that many members of our community are upset by the image. Morning Call reporter Kayla Dwyer can be reached at 610-820-6554 or kdwyer@mcall.com. "After numerous complaints the school district conducted an investigation of the extent of Mr. Moorehead's involvement in the events of January 6th. The only problem? ", Speaking to the board Thursday, Moorehead said the board fed the community lies. Participation in the demonstrations on Jan. 6 has brought professional consequences for some, mostly limited to those who stormed the Capitol building. Period.. Published: July 31, 2022. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Moorehead mentioned he was in attendance for the "Save the Steal" rally on January 6th, but never made it to the Capitol to riot, according to James Harden Dominates, Sixers Stun Celtics to Take 1-0 Series Lead, 7 Cars Involved in Crash, House Catches Fire in North Philly, Police ID 2 Persons of Interest in Triple Homicidein Philadelphia, This 28-Year-Old Pays $62 a Month to Live in a Dumpster He Built for $5,000 Take a Look Inside. Period," he said. Jason Moorehead said he was never at the Capitol when the violence erupted and only attended Trump's speech about a mile away. He took a few photos showing he was there. lehighvalleylive.com Some calling in were passionate that the district was in the wrong. WebThe Allentown Police Department will host the city's first Youth Academy as part of its ongoing plans to increase outreach into the Allentown School District. Allentown teacher suspended during probe into riot fired Pennsylvania middle school teacher rightfully suspended over possible In a few cases, protesters have lost jobs even if they did not take part in the violent rioting. Malofiy said that after a seven-month investigation in conjunction with FBI, the district sent his client a letter that stated his presence at the rally did not violate school policy. The best states in the country excel in areas such as economy, fiscal stability and opportunity. He said he was never a part of the violence on Jan. 6, but that the school board painted him as an active participant in the riots.CAPITOL SIEGE. He also wrote a comment that read "wrong on so many levels, but hilarious" on another controversial meme. You have permission to edit this article. The court said public employees may be fired for speech that is not public in nature. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Was the Allentown teacher suspended after, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Was the Allentown teacher suspended after attending Stop the Steal rally within his rights? Moorehead says hes a victim of cancel culture and that his reputation has been destroyed by what he says is a false statement that he was involved in the violent protest. State finances are in pretty good shape but that could change depending on the trajectory of the national economy. The district cited social media postings from Moorehead in its initial decision to suspend him with pay and open an investigation into his actions that day. 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Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Thousands of people are there, and only a few are doing the rioting and destruction. or redistributed. His termination was in no way connected to his activities on that date, the districts attorneys John E. Freund, III, and Brian J. Taylor said in a statement. The FBI has arrested more than 100 associated with the siege so far, and many companies have taken to Twitter to confirm the firing of their involved employees. Moorehead said he was never at the Capitol when the violence erupted and only attended Trump's speech about a mile away. Moorehead had the opportunity to return to work for well over a year and chose not to do so.. The First Amendment allows people to personally and privately engage in disagreements with their government, said Francis Malofiy. "Never within a mile of that place. You destroyed my career, my character, my life, my marriage, I might lose my house -- all because some of you did not like my political conservative views. Thus, Zirkel said, courts use a three-part test to determine if a public employee is protected by the First Amendment: Was the expression part of the employees duties, or was it as a private citizen? Malofiy said he believes district officials reacted rashly to the outcry over Mooreheads social media posts from the Trump rally and said his client has been made a victim of cancel culture, in which people are penalized for their political beliefs. "While we all have the right to express ourselves, it is important to do so respectfully," the letter said. Know Your Rights: Searches of Students | ACLU of Northern CA "Now, when you're a government employer, the law says that you have a right to first amendment right to freedom of speech, very different than in private sector," he said. Moorehead was suspended Jan. 7, 2021, and there were calls for his firing after he went to Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Rachel Carr was fired from her job as a driver for PennDOT after she posted in a local Facebook group about her frustration with school bus drivers in the area after one pulled out in front of her truck. ", Bride killed in Folly Beach golf cart DUI crash, ESPN: Harper to return to lineup 159 days after Tommy John surgery, New details released about suspects charged in Evesham Township crash. "And there's so many issues that matter to me on both sides," he added. The districts determination will come down to the delicate balance between an employees First Amendment rights and the schools judgment about what it considers acceptable behavior. Pa. Teacher Suspended After Jan. 6 Fired for Not Working - US Pennsylvania teacher suspended after Jan. 6 riot fired for We understand that many members of our community are upset by the image, the letter states. Paul Davis, a Dallas-area lawyer, was fired from Goosehead Insurance after a Twitter user brought Davis's Instagram posts at the Capitol to light. Allentown School District board of school directors voted Thursday to fire Jason Moorehead, who was a middle school social studies teacher at the Allentown Follow Hannah & PhillyVoice on Twitter: @hannah_kanik | @thePhillyVoice 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. said Christine Condon, who also participated in the meeting. Until the district completes the investigation and makes a decision on his status, the teacher is still receiving pay and benefits. The uproar was enough for Allentown School District to suspend him with pay while it investigated his involvement in the days events. A Pennsylvania teacher who was suspended last year during an investigation into his attendance at, and social media posts about, the Stop the Steal rally which later turned to a deadly insurrection on Jan. 6 has been fired for refusing to return to work. Moorehead admitted to reposting what could be considered controversial memes and that he commented on one of rioters at the Capitol that read: 'don't worry everyone the capitol is insured.'. Joseph Fling Jr., 77, of Hatboro, is charged in the September crash that killed Angela Yowakim, a 25-year-old teacher's assistant at Dieruff High School in Allentown. Allentown Teacher Suspended For Being Near U.S. Capitol During Riots! But images he posted on social media quickly made the rounds, and on Jan. 8 he was placed on paid suspension by the district. Allentown School Board gets earful about teacher placed The uproar was enough for Allentown School District to suspend him with pay while it investigated his involvement in the days events. Allentown Teacher's Venturing into highly polarized politics of racial justice also cost a middle school teacher in Georgia her job after she wrote a racist social media post about a Black Lives Matter demonstration during a local Halloween parade. That didn't stop people from sharing their opinions of Moorehead during the public comment section of the meeting. Teacher suspended after Jan. 6 fired for not working. He called the districts actions defamatory and said they have destroyed [his clients] life.. The Social Studies teachers controversial social media posts had drastic consequences. He said he was never a part of the violence on Jan. 6, but that the school board painted him as an active participant in the riots., When the district finally admitted to me privately that I had done nothing wrong and that I could return, they refused to let the community know that I am safe, to alleviate both their fears and my fears about returning, he said. I dont know how I can get that reputation back, Moorehead said in a telephone interview Saturday. Ive always encouraged my kids to be critical thinkers and to form their own opinion, one that they can be proud to have., His attorney Malofiy blasted the districts decision to suspend Moorehead and issue the statement without first gathering more information about what really happened. "We ask the same of our students and families.". Allentown School District teacher accused of being at January 6th ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Jason Moorehead has been the center of controversy ever since Facebook posts of him in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6 surfaced. All rights reserved (About Us). The single word This, has become shorthand for expressing agreement with a quoted statement in many internet forums. ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) A Pennsylvania teacher who was suspended last year during an investigation into his attendance at, and social media posts about, the "Stop the Steal" rally which later turned to a deadly insurrection on Jan. 6 has been fired for refusing to return to work. Hannah Kanik Shame on you: Fired Allentown teacher who went to Allentown School District board of school directors voted Thursday to fire Jason Moorehead, who was a middle school social studies teacher at the Allentown School District. Supporters of President Donald Trump on the National Mall. Mr. Lawmakers gathered again Wednesday night and certifiedJoe Biden's victoryearly Thursday morning. Carr argued that she had posted her rant as a private citizen, not as a PennDOT employee and that the safety of school bus drivers was a matter of public concern. App of the Day: Poolsuite FM, What the Tech? Pennsylvania teacher suspended, others lose jobs over Capitol Andrews told the Chicago Tribunethat she didn't know illegal actions were taking place. "I was with Jason Moorehead on Jan. 6 so I know he never went a mile of the Capitol building and this is an easily verifiable fact," Jenkins said. Teacher Suspended Pennsylvania social studies teacher Jason Moorehead was suspended for attending the protest. Friday morning, Freund said the investigation is not yet complete. "His termination was in no way connected to his activities on that date," the district's attorneys John E. Freund, III, and Brian J. Taylor said in a statement. "Is this the kind of person that we want in our school district spending time with our children and influencing minds and hearts?" I dont know how I can get that trust back. ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) A Pennsylvania teacher who was suspended last year during an investigation into his attendance at, and social media posts about, the Stop the Steal rally which later turned to a deadly insurrection on Jan. 6 has been fired for refusing to return to work. Russia missile attack on Ukraine injures 34, damages homes, May Day: Worlds workers rally, France sees pension anger, FDIC recommends raising insured deposit limit for businesses, What the Tech? Moorehead claims the district called him an active participant in the riots, but that they they knew he was never part of it. In 1964, Illinois school teacher Marvin Pickering wrote a letter to his local newspaper critical of the administrations spending on instruction and athletics. Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Please enter valid email address to continue. Utahs strong economy and business environment make it an attractive place, but experts and locals say that isnt all the Beehive State has to offer. Market data provided by Factset. Moorehead was officially reinstated in July 2021, after the investigation found he had violated the district's social media policies, but not its outside activities policy. Pa. Teacher Suspended After Jan. 6 Fired For Not Working (Associated Press). More dry than wet overall, but still cool and unsettled. For example, a teacher cannot ask to search a bag that looks weird and bulgy for drugs based only on the look of the bag. Dr. Rick Saccone, a former Pennsylvania state representative and adjunct professor, submitted his resignation to St. Vincent College after he posted a video from the Capitol, FOX 43 in York, Pa., reported. I believe I was just terminated today by you nine, nine to zero, Moorehead said. Allentown School District board of school directors voted Thursday to fire Jason Moorehead, who was a middle school social studies teacher at the Allentown School District. A Bucks County teacher who called her students utterly loathsome and frightfully dim in her online blog lost her appeal to the First Amendment after her district fired her. 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Raub Middle School teacher Jason Mooreheads social media posts from the Jan. 6 rally for former President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., began circulating in Allentown on the afternoon when the world watched in horror as protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol. Even though district officials have spoken with Moorehead to hear his side of the story, they have done nothing to clear his name. I love the kids and great relationships with kids there," he said. ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) A Pennsylvania teacher who was suspended last year during an investigation into his attendance at, and social media posts about, the Stop the Steal rally which later turned to a deadly insurrection on Jan. 6 has been fired for refusing to return to work. Morning Call reporter Sarah M. Wojcik can be reached at 610-778-2283 or swojcik@mcall.com. Teacher suspended for attending Capitol 'Stop ", First published on July 29, 2022 / 8:15 PM. Other people reportedly have lost their jobs because of their involvement in the riot. "We understand that many members of our community are upset by the image," the letter said. ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) A Pennsylvania teacher who was suspended last year during an investigation into his attendance at, and social media posts about, the Stop the Steal rally which later turned to a deadly insurrection on Jan. 6 has been fired for refusing to return to work. District officials have not disclosed whether the suspended teacher was among those who breached the Capitol building. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Not naming Moorehead explicitly, Freund said the teachers temporary reassignment is being treated the same as any other teacher whose conduct has been called into question. Suspended Allentown teacher claims he wasn't anywhere near The termination came because of the abandonment of his position, the solicitor said. FOX News contributors Dan Bongino and Sarah Sanders react to the day's events on 'Hannity'. Except I went to see a Trump rally.".