Arbitrator Goes Against Teacher In Swastika Conversation Case

STOUGHTON, MA — A Stoughton High School teacher who said she was disciplined for discussing a swastika incident has lost her case in arbitration.

Superintendent Marguerite Rizzi announced Tuesday that an arbitrator has sided with the school district and their right to discipline a teacher for discussing the discipline of a student with other students. Rizzi did not identify the teacher, but a letter from the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law revealed that high school teacher Stella Martin was reprimanded last year having a discussion with her honors English class about a November 2016 incident which saw a student draw a swastika on the school spirit board and make a comment about burning the symbol, "the way they burned the Jews." The student was suspended for six days.

Martin contended that she never mentioned the boy's name or has spoken to him, but the boy's mother accused Martin of bullying.

School officials say the reprimand was for failing to perform the roles and responsibilities of a teacher as defined in the Stoughton High School handbook and therefore didn't provide an educational climate conducive to student engagement and learning.

READ MORE

• Stoughton Superintendent Stands By Disciplining Teachers Who Talked About Swastika Incidents
• Stoughton Schools Called On To Support Teacher Suspended For Talking About Swastika Incident
• Stoughton Superintendent Calls Allegations In Letter From Brandeis Center 'Unfair And Untrue'
• Brandeis Center Responds To Rizzi Letter On Swastika Incident

"Contrary to what was previously reported by other sources, the teacher was not disciplined for discussing a controversial topic. Rather, as the arbitrator agreed, she was disciplined for her conduct, which violated the student’s rights," Rizzi said in a statement, pointing to a portion of the arbitrator's decision which states, "It is a legitimate expectation that teachers will not discuss a student with another student."

The arbitrator also wrote that the teacher did not provide an appropriate educational climate, failed to perform her role and responsibilities as a teacher, and failed to exercise sound judgment.

"She was not disciplined for attempting to turn the student discussion to a ‘teachable moment’ concerning the Holocaust," Rizzi said.

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