Bernd vows impartial probe of journalism adviser
By Tracey-Lynn Clough / Staff Writer of the Arlington Morning News
Published 05-15-1998
The fate of a Martin High School teacher accused of allowing offensive language to be published in a campus newspaper will not be swayed by public sentiment, Superintendent Mac Bernd said Thursday.
"Everyone has opinions, strong opinions," said Dr. Bernd. "Our investigation must be fair and complete and can't be subject to public opinion."
Martin High School's journalism sponsor, Robbie Griffin, was placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday after failing to stop the publication of foul language, sexual references and racial epithets in the May 11 edition of The Warrior Post.
Ms. Griffin declined to comment.
The Warrior Post was distributed to 1,900 students this week and contains sexual innuendo, racially insensitive put-downs and graphic language that officials said is inappropriate for a student newspaper.
Dr. Bernd said he has heard an earful since the farewell edition of the newspaper was distributed.
"As your superintendent I am subject to pressure from all segments of the community," he said during the regular board meeting Thursday. "Some say students have the absolute right to say anything they want.
"Other portions of the community believe students should be censored heavily."
Dr. Bernd assured the community that administrators are aware of the concerns of the community and the issues that have been raised.
However, he added, the investigation is not complete and he does not expect to conclude the district's investigation until next week, as the school year comes to a close.
Emotion also will not prevail in a second investigation, he said.
A review of drama teacher Karen Baker also continues in light of a sexually explicit play some students planned to perform for classmates as a final project.
Ms. Baker said she was not aware that some of her students had adapted an adult play for the classroom project. The play, which students had titled Mindless Sex, was quashed before it was performed. Ms. Baker was not placed on administrative leave, and Principal Steve Jacoby said he believes the matter was resolved quickly.
"These are serious matters and we are looking at them as serious matters," Dr. Bernd said. "But we must make an objective determination in accordance with the laws."
School administrators are not allowed to discuss personnel matters publicly. They also are barred from discussing student discipline procedures against any of the students involved in the separate incidents.
Some of the students could face suspension, Saturday classes, or removal from regular classes for the remainder of the year, Mr. Jacoby said. The final day of classes is May 21.