Discipline Against Shaker Heights Teacher Withdrawn

SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH — The disciplinary action against Shaker Heights High School English teacher Jody Podl has been withdrawn, the district announced this week. Podl's case was set to go to arbitration on Tuesday.

Podl had been on administrative leave since Oct. 10, after a complaint against her for bullying was filed by a student's parent, the Cleveland Jewish News reported. The Shaker Heights Teachers Union said there was no evidence of "bullying, harassment, intimidation or hazing" in the case.

On Monday evening, interim Shaker Heights Superintendent Stephen Wilkins sent a letter to the community saying the disciplinary action against Podl would be withdrawn.

"We did not come to this decision lightly but rather with the firm understanding that there is important work ahead for our District, work that will require collaboration among our students, our teachers, our administrators, our Board and our community," he said. "We’ve heard from all parts of the community, including the High School students, their families and the teacher at the center of this controversy. There is a consensus that we, as a community, want to move forward and turn our collective focus toward healing and learning."

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Wilkins noted healing was needed after the district has had a turbulent and troubling year. Among the recent issues faced in Shaker Heights are: a fight at a basketball game, the suspension of the high school principal, the ongoing search for a permanent superintendent, the decision-making on what to do after the Fernway fire, and the killing of a Shaker Heights teacher.

"Yet, the past year was filled with many painful and difficult moments for our District and our community. We understand the skepticism, division and concerns that exist. We have reflected on the past and it’s time to move forward to make our District whole again," Wilkins said.

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