Fort Cherry teacher put on leave
A Fort Cherry High School teacher was put on leave last week for allegedly showing an inappropriate video to students in class, according to an online petition.
The petition, which has nearly 800 signatures, was started by Lindsay Bracall and asks that the district reinstate Kevin Center, who teaches a multimedia class.
In a letter to parents, dated Sept. 26, Superintendent Jill Jacoby said Center would be “on an extended leave until further notice” and a substitute would be replacing him while he’s gone.
“Once the substitute is established, a notification will be sent out regarding name, contact information and nine-week grading procedure,” the letter states. “In advance, we appreciate your understanding, support and flexibility during this time of transition.” Jacoby declined to comment further Tuesday due to it being a “personnel matter.”
The petition, which was started two days after the letter was sent, said the material that was shown in class “isn’t inappropriate due to its academic and intellectual value” and that the same video had been shown in class previously “without incident.”
“This is a morally reprehensible, unethical, targeted attack on Kevin Center, a teacher of great value,” Bracall said in the petition. Bracall did not respond to requests for comment.
Multiple people commented on the petition to show support for Center, including Isabel Descutner.
“I guarantee you every single graduate from the school during Center’s tenure would attest to his character and the lasting impact of his teaching on them,” she said.
During a public meeting the school board held Monday to discuss a possible building improvement project, multiple community members and students showed up, seeking information on Center’s status in the district and wanting to speak in his defense.
“The school won’t talk about it. We would just like some answers,” said David Phillips, a resident of the district who had Center as a teacher before graduating 12 years ago. “People just want the district to talk about it.”
Phillips said the situation seems to be a “double standard” because other “inappropriate” videos were shown by other teachers when he was in school, and nothing was done about it.
“He teaches heavy matter at times,” Phillips said. “He’s been known to teach very powerful lessons that are impactful for students.”
Phillips said he tried to bring up Center at Monday’s meeting, but the board insisted the topic of the meeting remain building and grounds issues. The district sent an email Monday morning, notifying residents the only topic for discussion at that meeting would be capital projects and air ventilation.
“Although public comment may be entertained, only comments/thoughts related to district capital projects will be engaged,” the email said.
District officials encouraged residents to bring other concerns to the next board meeting Oct. 22.
Attempts to contact Center for comment were unsuccessful.