"Every effort is being made to fill in the holes and gaps that allow bad actors to run rampant"?? Really? Wow...this is it then? The best that can be done? Because the ISEA says they think the current policies are adequate, parents should feel comforted and maybe even chastised about the concerns we have regarding the physical and emotional safety of our children? Districts can just make deals and accept resignations instead of following through on their ethical obligations when issues of misconduct arise? Mandatory reporters are only mandatory reporters when it suits them? It's OK to have loopholes so that they are allowed to do this? It's OK for a district to allow a teacher to quietly move on when they KNOW that teacher should not be working with children?
Yep...sounds like it's a sweet deal for the ISEA and other unions all around. Keep the "bad" teachers safely employed because it boosts their membership (and bottomline) and 'sell it' to the general public that you're doing everything you can to help the students and teachers alike. The ISEA isn't losing here.....only the students and the GOOD teachers lose. Hey Chris...wake up! The GOOD teachers you are professing to help are LOSING every time you step in to protect those bad teachers.
It's interesting to see the comment about kids not understanding what the right boundaries are and needing to be told/taught. Absolutely true. But it's also important to note that some adults (including teachers) that should already know those boundaries aren't always adhering to them and being appropriate role models for these kids/students. Time and again we're seeing instances of teachers that 'know better' crossing lines with students via email or IM or Facebook...some ethical, some criminal, all wrong.
Digital communication takes the personal 'face-to-face' interaction out of it; adults AND kids are bolder. It's a serious situation all around. I don't think it's feasible to get kids or parents or teachers to opt-out of social networking in this day and age but perhaps the rule/request should be that teachers should not be Facebook 'friends' with students (and vice versa). What's the purpose of that anyway?
Glad to see that some some districts do what's RIGHT even if they technically aren't required to. They all should. There should be no loophole, no 'out' for the less ethically minded, no dependency/burden on peers to investigate their co-workers. Objectivity is lost when it's your friends and co-workers that have crossed a line...
According to Iowa Mandatory Reporting laws:
Any of the following persons who, in the scope of
professional practice or their employment, examines, attends,
counsels, or treats a child and reasonably believes a child has
suffered abuse:
...
o A licensed school employee, certified para-educator,
holder of a coaching authorization issued by the state, or
an instructor employed by a community college;
...
By law, they're required to report to, at minimum, DHS.
By common ethical standards, they SHOULD have reported.
Novel concept....'Do what's right, not just what's required'. This is essentially a "golden rule" that parents and teachers guide and direct children to follow in their day-to-day decision making. Interesting that the school district doesn't practice what they preach/teach. Double-standard, anyone? Terrible way for our children's role models to act.
Oh yes - I'm so glad you brought your comments down to my level as I MUST be uneducated if I don't agree with you. Your definition of 'sexually inappropriate' and mine obviously vary greatly. And really, if you don't like this college-weekly-reject, then don't read it; "move on!".
Come on MrX., child predators know how to 'talk the talk' to their victims. It's shown over and over again. So your contention is that because he was 52ish that makes him incapable and innocent? Besides, Hemmingsen isn't reporting on something that hasn't already occurred and tainting an 'innocent'. He himself resigned when confronted about the situation. He himself surrendered his license to the State Board of Examiners.
Oh give it up iowagal7....we get it....you dad or your uncle or whoever Drahozal is to you was 'innocent' in your eyes. In this case, Ms. Hemmingsen is using this one instance to illustrate a point that is larger than you or Drahozal. You appear to get that but, because of your personal relationship, you don't want to admit it. Drahozal isn't the victim here...quit making him out to be. When you make mistakes - especially those that are sexual in nature with 13 year old girls - you reap what you sow. Frankly, he got off easy for 4 years now.
But recognize that there are many of us that want others to see the larger picture that Hemmingsen is portraying. There are many of us that agree. There are many of us that want significant changes and loopholes to be closed. Pay attention legislators!
Seriously Chuck - exactly how do you get HALF of a board member?
Besides, what do you mean it's not supposed to be released - are you kidding? It most certainly is supposed to be released to the authorities - specifically DHS - right when it occurs. Ever heard of mandatory reporting laws? Look them up please. And with action taken by the State Board of Examiners, it most certainly is public information. Let's not hide under the cloak of confidentiality only when it suits us. I'm certain the county attorney and the prosecuting attorney for the State Board of Examiners know the laws and what they can and can't do legally better than you.
HEAR HEAR Jennifer Hemmingsen!! You may very well be my new hero. Someone needs to champion these issues that we are hearing about nearly every single week just in the Eastern Iowa area (Benton, Olin, Oskaloosa, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Maquoketa, etc). Someone needs to have the voice and courage to say 'HEY PARENTS....PAY ATTENTION! DEMAND CHANGES!'. You should be given an award. As a parent, I want to know when this stuff happens. I want to know that my kids are safe in the schools I trustingly send them to everyday. I want to know that it's not my own child who will be next when a predatory teacher is quietly shuffled from one district to another. As a taxpayer, darn it, I want some accountability regarding my tax dollars that are paying for the high salaries and benefits of administrators (superintendents are routinely receiving OVER $100K for salary and benefits). To the school administrators, boards, and legislators -- where are the changes?????
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