Proceedings against Moffett delayed after PFT goes to federal court
by Dale Mezzacappa on Mar 10 2011 Posted in Latest news
Update: Proceedings that could lead to Hope Moffett's dismissal are delayed until a hearing on the PFT's request for a permanent injunction.
The District issued a statement saying:
"Today the School District of Philadelphia was served with injunction papers by the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and at the request of the judge both parties agreed to participate in a hearing on this matter next week. The judge has asked the parties to maintain status quo until the hearing."
PFT President Jerry T. Jordan is in federal court now in Philadelphia seeking to halt dismissal proceedings against Audenried High School English teacher Hope Moffett.
“The suit is being filed on behalf of all PFT members to protect their right to speak freely, without fear of retaliation or intimidation by the district,” Jordan said in a statement sent to reporters.
The School District is moving to fire Moffett, saying that she endangered students by giving them tokens that they used to travel to a protest during school hours against the planned conversion of their school to a charter. School officials have denied that the swift action against her has anything to do with her outspoken opposition to the charter plan, and said they have more evidence against her than they have shared.
The PFT is seeking a temporary restraining order from a judge. In cases like this, sometimes a a judge will hear the case right away and make a ruling immediately, but that is not guaranteed.
At a hearing earlier this week, school officials indicated that the School Reform Commission would vote on the dismissal as early as Wednesday.
The injunction is being sought in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, at 601 Market Street.
The union is also planning a mass protest.
"I urge all PFT members to come out to the PFT's Stand Up for Public Schools Rally on Monday, March 14, at 4 p.m., at 440 N. Broad St. to speak with one voice," Jordan's statement concludes.
We will continue to update this breaking story.
Comments (19)
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 16:00.
yessssssssssssss!
Submitted by Ron Whitehorne on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 16:09.
This bold legal move in conjunction with the call for a demonstration Monday is the kind of action we need. Way to go, Jerry.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 18:06.
Hi Ron,
This is why I keep telling people to give Jordan a chance. He is a keen strategist and knows what he is doing. He waited, heard what he had to hear, then took action.
Submitted by AnonyMouse (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 16:54.
Awesome! It's about time the PFT take some action on this.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 16:57.
Way to go Jerry!
ALL PFT members Be there Monday for the Rally, STAND UP FOR YOURSELVES! (no one else will)
Submitted by Mayday (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 17:17.
It's about time! Finally, some real action by the PFT leadership.
Please, everyone, come to the demonstration on Monday. The last one was composed predominately of white, non-tenured teachers. Those with tenure eed to stand up, too. It's not just about "newer" staff. There will soon be no more safety in tenure if Ackerman and the SRC have their way.
Submitted by White:NotTenured (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 23:13.
Now why would tenured teachers, cozy and comfy, come support those young white upstarts who want to take their jobs? Harumph!
Submitted by Tara (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 23:47.
Every teacher is not as cozy and comfy as you might think. We need to be one voice, regardless of experience. You see how more and more schools are changing, regardless of charter, Promise Academy, etc. Public education is being dismantled every year as more and more schools go through this process. We need to fight for public education now because eventually your school will be on the list.
Submitted by Teacher (K.R. Luebbert) (not verified) on Fri, 03/11/2011 - 00:14.
I was with several fellow tenured teachers at the TAG rally last week, and I will be with the tenured and non-tenured teachers from my school at the PFT rally on Monday. We all do need to stick together and support each other through this. Everyone should show up Monday to remind the district of our strength.
Submitted by we are anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 17:28.
Monday must be huge. Talk to the teachers at your schools, carpool if you have to.
Also, the School District is holding a public meeting at Audenried at 1pm on Saturday.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 19:36.
Solidarity Forever!
Submitted by lovetoteach (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 19:55.
Let's ALL be there on Monday. We cannot continue to complain about the state of affairs and sit by doing nothing.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 19:59.
Amen!
Submitted by Holly Shaw-Hollis (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 20:14.
I just completely read the legal briefs/documents filed in Federal Court (you can access them on the PFT page). I am proud to be a PFT member. I am proud to call Hope a colleague-albeit at another school. As someone who has been very outspoken in other issues that are personal to me (not related to education), I know the value of the First Amendment and the right to speak out when I feel the need, without fear of retaliation. I am proud to be a teacher. I am proud to be a PFT member. I am proud to be a union member during this time of national union-bashing and unfortunate stripping of a workers rights. Thank you Hope, and thank you Jerry!
Submitted by Mike (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 20:22.
Way to go Hope! This is what happens when an honest person is unwilling to
compromise their beliefs! By standing up for what you believe in you have
started a small revolution that our PFT leaders would not start. Regardless,
I am glad now to stand united for a worthy cause. Teachers should
not be the district's punching bag, real progress can never occur this way,
and children will continue to suffer under such an approach.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/11/2011 - 00:06.
I have kept up with this story from the beginning, and continued to get more and more pissed off at the district's actions. So happy to see teachers and their union finally standing up for some principles and taking action. I will be spreading the word about Monday and encouraging the public to be there.
Submitted by W. Henderson (not verified) on Fri, 03/11/2011 - 08:01.
You are the U in union!!!! This is a very critical time for all PFT members. There is power in numbers. I urge all Pft members to attend the mass rally on Monday. Let's all stand together in soildarity!!! How many people remember how effective we were at Central High School and School District on the Parkway a few years ago when the city wanted to impose a contract on PFT??? Trust me,we are in very capable hands of the PFT!!! Support the union that has fought the good fight for all of it's members since the late 60"s.....have even gone to jail !!!!! The union is only as strong as it's members... the time is now.Let's stop complaining and answer this CALL FOR ACTION and any other request made by PFT!!!! Our jobs are on the line!!!!!! SOLIDARITY FOREVER!!!!!!! Jerry Jordan I support you and all your efforts. Thank You
Submitted by Meg (not verified) on Fri, 03/11/2011 - 08:05.
Maybe Hope was dumb to provide those tokens... she should have just let the kid hitch-hike to their goal... we all know our students will do what they need to do to be heard. Philadelphians are not now for silence.
If they had hitched, Hope would have been safe, but they would not have been.
I thought one of our slogans was "NO Excuses".
PSD stop using them.
Submitted by Meg (not verified) on Fri, 03/11/2011 - 08:06.
Sorry - not known for silence. It's too early for my proof-reading skills.
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