Moorehead, a social studies teacher at Raub Middle School in the Allentown School District, has gained national attention. 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. 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. But those freedoms are not absolute, and over the years, the U.S. Supreme Court has established that government bodies such as school districts may fire employees for what they say if it gets in the way of the agencys mission. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, "It was singling me out that my mere presence at a political rally was somehow tied to racism," he said. Pennsylvania teacher suspended after Jan. 6 riot fired for A Chicago real estate firm fired one of its agents after she posted a selfie to social media and made reference to storming the capitol, but the agent, Libby Andrews, told the Chicago Tribune that she had been unaware anything illegal was happening and never entered the building. 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. ", "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. Moorehead said he was offered his job back under the condition he undergo racial sensitivity training. District officials have not disclosed whether the suspended teacher was among those who breached the Capitol building. Morning Call reporter Kayla Dwyer can be reached at 610-820-6554 or kdwyer@mcall.com. The district said previously Moorehead's social media posts about the events of Jan. 6, and not just his presence in Washington that day, were the focus of its probe last year. "We understand that many members of our community are upset by the image," the letter said. A retired firefighter from Chester County is charged with assaulting officers after authorities say he hurled a fire extinguisher at police. "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. Until the district completes the investigation and makes a decision on his status, the teacher is still receiving pay and benefits. Asked what he was trying to convey with the posts, Moorehead said during a CNN interview on Jan. 23 that he was not mocking Black Lives Matter or antifa. Suspended Allentown teacher claims he wasn't anywhere near (Associated Press). 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. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Moorehead also doesn't dispute that he attended Donald Trump's 'Stop the Steal' rally on January 6, 2021. Add Hannah's RSS feed to your feed reader He told the school board Thursday night he went to Washington to hear some speeches, but I was never a part of any violence. He and his lawyer speak with CNN's Michael Smerconish. At the same time, the district has an obligation to respect the First Amendment rights of our staff and students., Moorehead posted a picture of himself wearing a Make America Great Again hat and carrying a Revolutionary War flag on Facebook with the caption Doing my civic duty. He also shared a tweet by someone else that said, Dont worry everyone the capitol is insured, to which Moorehead added This.. Andrews told the Chicago Tribunethat she didn't know illegal actions were taking place. The Allentown school board voted unanimously Thursday night to fire a Raub Middle School teacher who was suspended after posting pictures of himself on social Saucon Valley must allow After School Satan Club to meet, judge rules, Katy Perry 'will be replaced by a big-name star on American Idol', Popular doughnut shop nearing completion of 2nd regional location in Bethlehem, Human remains identified as missing Stroudsburg woman, ASD teacher placed on leave over Washington protest says he did nothing illegal, is being harassed, Parents in Allentown School District weigh in after teacher involved in protests put on leave, Allentown School District OKs contracts for training, laptops in preparation for hybrid learning, Allentown School District OKs amendment to student search policy, Teacher who attended Jan. 6 'Stop the Steal' rally fired from ASD, Lower Macungie Community Day to feature food trucks, petting zoo, more, Toxic chemicals in Emmaus water could cost at least $24M to fix, 'Can't wait to see everyone': After 3-year hiatus, beloved Easton deli nears reopening, How do you know your money is safe? Three others, including Benjamin Philips, 50, of Ringtown Pennsylvania, died of apparent medical emergencies during the chaos. That didn't stop people from sharing their opinions of Moorehead during the public comment section of the meeting. Moorehead had the opportunity to return to work for well over a year and chose not to do so.. Superintendent Thomas Parker and school district solicitor John Freund did not respond to repeated phone calls Saturday. 2976 days ago By Was the employee speaking about an issue of public concern? The district will not make any premature statements about any conclusions reached until the investigation is complete, and cannot allow the media attention available to the teacher to usurp the districts process, he said via email. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. Because Carrs rant was of limited public importance but harmed the publics trust in PennDOTs ability to safely serve the public, her speech was not protected, the court ruled. Ive had thousands of great relationships with students and parents.. Teachers union President Mark Leibold did not respond to multiple messages seeking comment. Over the past half-century, the Supreme Court has issued four major decisions defining the limits of public employees First Amendment rights. : Local economists weigh in after 3rd bank failure in last 2 months, Baby alligator temporarily staying in the Poconos after being found at sewage plant in Allentown, LVHN offering 2nd dose of bivalent COVID-19 booster shot for people 65 and older, immunocompromised people, Work to replace busy bridge connecting Lehigh, Northampton counties is underway; there's some good news for commuters, Allentown Service Plaza to close at night during the week as crews do paving work, High Delaware River water levels lead to additional safety requirements at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area this week, Gov. School operations at Kraemer Middle School were suspended for the day after an assistant principal apparently took his own life Monday morning in a private area "Is this the kind of person that we want in our school district spending time with our children and influencing minds and hearts?" A letter from the Allentown superintendent over the unidentified teacher reminded educators to be careful what they post and share online because of how it could affect their students and colleagues. WebA Lehigh Valley teacher says he was suspended for being in Washington, D.C., on the day of the Capitol riot. A mob of pro-Trump extremistsstormed the CapitolWednesday in an attempt todisrupt Congress from certifying the Electoral College results. They could face penalties ranging from fines to prison time. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. He called the districts actions defamatory and said they have destroyed [his clients] life.. "After numerous complaints the school district conducted an investigation of the extent of Mr. Moorehead's involvement in the events of January 6th. ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) A Pennsylvania teacher who was suspended last year during an investigation into his attendance at, and social media posts about, the Moorehead said the day after the January 6th riots, the Allentown School District suspended him and put out a press release that read in part that a staff member was "involved in the electoral college protests that took place at the United States Capitol Building.". Moorehead called the violence at the Capitol Building disgusting and is steadfast on the fact that he was on a bus to head home when the Capitol Building was stormed. Being a teacher means he is a The district has received notice Moorehead plans to take legal action in Lehigh County Court, but a complaint has not yet been filed. Banning suspensions and expulsions for willful defiance is the "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. TEACHER The court ruled that the questionnaire disrupted the office and dealt with office politics and not matters of public concern. Allentown teacher suspended during probe into riot fired My client has been very very patient in hoping that the school district would do the right thing and at this point, it seems inevitable that we will be filing a lawsuit, Malofiy said. 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. Moorehead said teaching in the school district is the only job he has ever had, and he considers himself more than a teacher, leading clubs and coaching sports. An employee at Navistar Direct Marketing, a printing company based in Maryland, was fired Thursday after a picture of him inside the Capitol wearing pro-Trump paraphernalia and his work badge went viral, the Washington Post reported. Moorehead claims the district called him an active participant in the riots, but that they they knew he was never part of it. "While we all have the right to express ourselves, it is important to do so respectfully," the letter said. The First Amendment allows people to personally and privately engage in disagreements with their government, said Francis Malofiy. 2022 The Associated Press. Allentown School Board gets earful about teacher placed I went down there to learn and observe, gain knowledge, Moorehead said. 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 My reputation and character have been destroyed: Allentown Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "At the same time, the district has an obligation to respect the First Amendment rights of our staff and students.". I met my wife there. 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 on Jan. 6 in Washington is being fired for refusing to return to work. App of the Day: Poolsuite FM, What the Tech? 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. I am none of those things, Moorehead said Thursday. Im being fired for refusing to come to a place that is unsafe, a situation you guys created., Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Moorehead was suspended Jan. 7, 2021, and there were calls for his firing after he went to Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. Social media footage of thechaosshowedthe pro-Trump mob toppling barricades, scaling the building and smashing windows. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. Market data provided by Factset. 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.'. Teacher Suspended After Jan. 6 Fired for Not Working. He is currently under a paid suspension as the district investigates his involvement on that day. Last year, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court added the question of whether an employees speech impairs the ability of an agency to perform its duties by damaging the publics trust. In one, he stood before a sea of Trump banners wearing a Make America Great Again hat and carrying a Revolutionary War flag. Moorehead said he had an impeccable record, and cared deeply for his students most of whom were minorities. Allentown School District relieves teacher who attended Trump The Georgia appeals court reasoned that her post interfered with the operation of the middle school where she taught.. Thousands of people are there, and only a few are doing the rioting and destruction. Teacher suspended after Jan. 6 fired for not working. "@properties does not condone violence, destruction or illegal activities," a statement from the company said after explaining she acknowledged she took part in the riot. The termination came because of the abandonment of his position, the solicitor said. We understand that many members of our community are upset by the image, the letter states. One person, Jason Jenkins, even called out the district's investigation. He taught for 18 years as a social studies teacher at Raub Middle School. He explained his position on those posts to Action News: "There had been riots and protests, where they were excused away that the damage that was done was acceptable, because buildings and private businesses were insured. Moorehead had the opportunity to return to work for well over a year and chose not to do so., Speaking to the board Thursday, Moorehead said the board fed the community lies. Parker and School Board President Sara Brace declined to provide additional details or identify the teacher, citing it as a personnel matter,TheAllentown Morning Callreported. In another, he stood in front of a hot dog cart waiting for lunch during (what CNN will hopefully call) a mostly peaceful protest while at the Capital.. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. Sign up for NBC Philadelphia newsletters. Partly to mostly cloudy, brisk, and cool. The court further narrowed protection in 1983 in the case of a New Orleans assistant district attorney who circulated a questionnaire to co-workers asking their opinions on transfers, morale and supervisors in the office. Police arrest suspect in April shooting, McCarthy touts U.S.-Israeli ties on trip underscored, Candidates can cross-file in Pennsylvania Primaries, Suspected burglar found sweeping inside TN home, Al Da con abc27: Evento Trash Can to Treasure, White House estimates 20K Russians killed in Ukraine, Hunter Biden in court over child support payments, York County jury convicts man of third-degree murder, Pennsylvania State House forms Black-Jewish Caucus, Sen. 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