Teachers disciplined for newspaper, play
ARLINGTON - A Martin High School journalism teacher will not be allowed to sponsor a school newspaper after letting students publish offensive and lewd language in a recent edition, officials said Wednesday.
School principal Steve Jacoby recommended that Martin High teacher Robbie Griffin be transferred to another campus, officials said after a disciplinary hearing.
Officials also reprimanded a drama teacher on Wednesday who came under fire when her students planned to put on a sexually explicit play.
Ms. Griffin was placed on paid administrative leave May 12 after the May 11 end-of-the-year publication of The Warrior Post, which was delivered to 1,900 students and contained vulgar, obscene and racist material, officials said.
Ms. Griffin did not return calls placed to her home Wednesday. But she gave district officials written permission to release the disciplinary action taken against her, district spokeswoman Charlene Robertson said.
After his investigation, Mr. Jacoby concluded that Ms. Griffin approved the newspaper's content before its publication, officials said. He also found that the issue contained defamatory remarks about students, teachers and community members.
The Rev. Barry Cameron of Arlington Christian Church, who had raised concerns about the newspaper, called the disciplinary action a "step in the right direction."
"Is this all the action that will be needed? We'll find out in the days ahead," he said.
Mr. Jacoby, who was unavailable for comment, issued a personal apology to his faculty and staff after the publication was distributed.
Drama teacher Karen Baker received a written reprimand with a three-point action plan to ensure that she gives her students appropriate guidance, officials said.
Mr. Jacoby found that while Ms. Baker "was not aware" of the student-edited version of the play, "she was ultimately responsible for classroom presentations and for selecting appropriate instructional resources," according to a statement from the district.
Jenni Smith of the Arlington Morning News contributed to this report.