Ive had thousands of great relationships with students and parents.. We walked around the Washington Monument, tried to get close to the White House, ate a hot dog and went back to the bus, he told CNN. Malofiy said that after a seven-month investigation in conjunction with FBI, the district sent his client a letter that stated his presence at the rally did not violate school policy. For example, a teacher cannot ask to search a bag that looks weird and bulgy for drugs based only on the look of the bag. Moorehead was officially reinstated in July 2021, after the investigation found he had violated the districts social media policies, but not its outside activities policy. ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) A Pennsylvania teacher who was suspended last year during an investigation into his attendance at, and social media posts about, the Stop the Steal rally which later turned to a deadly insurrection on Jan. 6 has been fired for refusing to return to work. Allentown School Board gets earful about teacher placed Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Pennsylvania teacher suspended after Jan. 6 riot fired for Spokesman Chris Lilienthal of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, of which the Allentown Education Association is a member, declined to comment. An armed standoff played out in front of the House chamber. But images he posted on social media quickly made the rounds, and on Jan. 8 he was placed on paid suspension by the district. Pennsylvania middle school teacher rightfully suspended over possible involvement in Capitol riots March 22, 2021 by Kavita Sundaram Photo by BBC Protesters break into and riot at the capitol. Lawmakers gathered again Wednesday night and certifiedJoe Biden's victoryearly Thursday morning. His termination was in no way connected to his activities on that date, the districts attorneys John E. Freund, III, and Brian J. Taylor said in a statement. Legal Statement. A Bucks County teacher who called her students utterly loathsome and frightfully dim in her online blog lost her appeal to the First Amendment after her district fired her. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. Moorehead, a social studies teacher at Raub for 17 years, posted pictures of himself at Trumps Stop the Steal rally blocks from the White House grounds. Morning Call reporter Kayla Dwyer can be reached at 610-820-6554 or kdwyer@mcall.com. The Allentown school board voted unanimously Thursday night to fire a Raub Middle School teacher who was suspended after posting pictures of himself on social Francis Malofiy represents Moorehead in his defamation suit against the district and alleges Moorehead was fired because of his support of the former president. He is currently under a paid suspension as Teacher suspended for attending Capitol 'Stop His termination was in no way connected to his activities on that date, the districts attorneys John E. Freund, III, and Brian J. Taylor said in a statement. So long as you admit you're a racist, and take classes to correct yourself. State finances are in pretty good shape but that could change depending on the trajectory of the national economy. Allentown School District relieves teacher who attended Trump That didn't stop people from sharing their opinions of Moorehead during the public comment section of the meeting. I was never any closer than a mile from the riot that happened, which I didnt know about until much later. In 2015, a federal appeals court ruled that former Central Bucks High School East teacher Natalie Monroes comments caused enough of a disruption in the classroom and her ability to perform her job because numerous parents told the district they didnt want her to teach their children that it outweighed her First Amendment claim. Hannah Kanik Its a shame that most of you dont even know who I am. Mr. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Allentown School District board of school directors voted Thursday to fire Jason Moorehead, who was a middle school social studies teacher at the Allentown School District. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. That the initial statement from Allentown Superintendent Thomas Parker placed the staff member directly at the United States Capitol Building, and that the district has not corrected this association, amounts to grounds for a defamation lawsuit, Malofiy argued. They were emboldened by President Donald Trump, who urged them to head to Capitol during a rally near the White House. Moorehead was officially reinstated in July 2021, after the investigation found he had violated the districts social media policies, but not its outside activities policy. WebA student at Dieruff High School in Allentown who had been suspended will now face charges in connection with a teacher's fall from the gym's bleachers last week. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Pennsylvania teacher suspended after Jan. 6 riot fired for (Associated Press). 2023 WWB Holdings, LLC. Paul Davis, a Dallas-area lawyer, was fired from Goosehead Insurance after a Twitter user brought Davis's Instagram posts at the Capitol to light. Moorehead was suspended Jan. 7, 2021, and there were calls for his firing after he went to Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. "We ask the same of our students and families.". Asked what he was trying to convey with the posts, Moorehead said he was not mocking Black Lives Matter or antifa. Because of the emotion and controversy stirred by the events of January 6, 2021, the teacher has been temporarily relieved of his teaching duties until the School District can complete a formal investigation of his involvement," The Morning Call reported. After the districts investigation was complete, he was given the opportunity to return to work, but would have been reassigned, Freund said. Morning Call reporter Peter Hall can be reached at 610-820-6581 or peter.hall@mcall.com. Moorehead was officially reinstated in July 2021, after the investigation found he had violated the district's social media policies, but not its outside activities policy. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - An Allentown middle school teacher who was placed on leave after attending a Trump rally in Washington D.C. on January 6 is n. Period," he said. In one, he stood before a sea of Trump banners wearing a Make America Great Again hat and carrying a Revolutionary War flag. Moorehead, who has been teaching at the district for 17 years, appeared on Michael Smerconishs morning show on CNN Saturday with Malofiy. The termination came because of the abandonment of his position, the solicitor said. The platform is designed to engage citizens and government leaders in a discussion about what needs improvement across the country. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. A Pennsylvaniateacher was suspended this week after taking part in Wednesdays riot at the U.S. Capitol, pending an investigation, the Allentown School District said, according to a report. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Teacher Suspended After Jan. 6 Fired for Not Working. "There is no agenda item related to action on any employee at this board meeting," said District Superintendent Thomas Parker atThursday's school board meeting. Rachel Carr was fired from her job as a driver for PennDOT after she posted in a local Facebook group about her frustration with school bus drivers in the area after one pulled out in front of her truck. Until the district completes the investigation and makes a decision on his status, the teacher is still receiving pay and benefits. ", Speaking to the board Thursday, Moorehead said the board fed the community lies. Allentown School District board of school directors voted Thursday to fire Jason Moorehead, who was a middle school social studies teacher at the Allentown School District. Moorehead says hes a victim of cancel culture and that his reputation has been destroyed by what he says is a false statement that he was involved in the violent protest. ", Bride killed in Folly Beach golf cart DUI crash, ESPN: Harper to return to lineup 159 days after Tommy John surgery, New details released about suspects charged in Evesham Township crash. Allentown Teacher Suspended Moorehead was officially reinstated in July 2021, after the investigation found he had violated the districts social media policies, but not its outside activities policy. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Moorehead has said he went to be a witness to a historic day and listen to then-President Donald Trump speak, and that he didnt know about the deadly riot until much later. He took a few photos showing he was there. "Never within a mile of that place. The district said previously Mooreheads social media posts about the events of Jan. 6, and not just his presence in Washington that day, were the focus ofits probe last year. Participation in the demonstrations on Jan. 6 has brought professional consequences for some, mostly limited to those who stormed the Capitol building. The district would reasonably enforce a policy of suspensions and expulsions for willful defiance and other misconduct, not because its best for the person being He failed to return. He told the school board Thursday night he went to Washington to hear some speeches, but I was never a part of any violence. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, and Ashli Babbit, a Trump supporter from San Diego, died from injuries sustained during the riot,CNN reported. The after-school programs Ive done, the amount of summer school activities Ive done, the sports Ive done. Andrews told the Chicago Tribunethat she didn't know illegal actions were taking place. He explained his position on those posts to Action News: "There had been riots and protests, where they were excused away that the damage that was done was acceptable, because buildings and private businesses were insured. Allentown School District board of school directors voted Thursday to fire Jason Moorehead, who was a middle school social studies teacher at the Allentown Utahs strong economy and business environment make it an attractive place, but experts and locals say that isnt all the Beehive State has to offer. "I was with Jason Moorehead on Jan. 6 so I know he never went a mile of the Capitol building and this is an easily verifiable fact," Jenkins said. The notoriety has also cost him the trust and respect of students. ", "When the district finally admitted to me privately that I had done nothing wrong and that I could return, they refused to let the community know that I am safe, to alleviate both their fears and my fears about returning," he said. Allentown School District board of school directors voted Thursday to fire Jason Moorehead, who was a middle school social studies teacher at the Allentown School District. Add Hannah's RSS feed to your feed reader My client has been very very patient in hoping that the school district would do the right thing and at this point, it seems inevitable that we will be filing a lawsuit, Malofiy said. I am none of those things, Moorehead said Thursday. Teacher Suspended Sign up for NBC Philadelphia newsletters. In 1977, the court ruled that the First and 14th Amendments do not provide blanket protection in the case of a teacher who had argued with co-workers and cursed at students. District Solicitor John Freund told lehighvalleylive.com on Friday that Moorehead was initially suspended. Pennsylvania middle school teacher rightfully suspended over possible Over the past half-century, the Supreme Court has issued four major decisions defining the limits of public employees First Amendment rights. You have permission to edit this article. Supporters of President Donald Trump on the National Mall. My best friends are there. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Dr. Rick Saccone, a former Pennsylvania state representative and adjunct professor, submitted his resignation to St. Vincent College after he posted a video from the Capitol, FOX 43 in York, Pa., reported. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Jason Moorehead has been the center of controversy ever since Facebook posts of him in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6 surfaced. President Donald Trump speaks at the "Stop The Steal" Rally on Jan. 6. When the district finally admitted to me privately that I had done nothing wrong and that I could return, they refused to let the community know that I am safe, to alleviate both their fears and my fears about returning, he said. Federal officials have been charging and arresting people in Pennsylvania and around the country for their alleged roles in breaching the building, damaging or stealing property inside and attacking law enforcement. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. That to me is too close to what the First Amendment is about in terms of protecting the democracy by protecting political speech, Zirkel said. Allentown Teacher's The Georgia appeals court reasoned that her post interfered with the operation of the middle school where she taught.. The district has received notice Moorehead plans to take legal action in Lehigh County Court, but a complaint has not yet been filed. A 2006 ruling in another case involving a prosecutor established that public employees are not protected when they speak in their official capacities. Check out these great suggestions. Joseph Fling Jr., 77, of Hatboro, is accused of careless driving and failing to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, in the Sept. 6 death of Angela Yowakim, the outlet reported Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Being a teacher means he is a I went down there to learn and observe, gain knowledge, Moorehead said. Shapiro signs bill requiring insurers to cover preventive breast, ovarian cancer screenings for high-risk women at no cost, Kutztown Folk Festival announces event dates, new attractions, Pa. Senate votes to ban safe injection sites, RPA members: City Council stalls, votes down parking solutions, Reading City Council considers vacating part of Thorn Street for GoggleWorks, Berks County Trail Challenge encouraging people to get outside and improve their health and wellness, RAWA tanks back at normal levels, water conservation order lifted, Former Berks doctor to spend decades in prison for recording, assaulting underage victims, Chain serving 'quick and healthful' salads, stir-fry, desserts to open 1st Berks location, Stock market today: Global stocks mixed after bank failure, Hollywood writers, slamming 'gig economy,' to go on strike, Australian central bank hikes interest rate to 3.85%, Chinese electric vehicle brands expand to global markets, Qantas names chief financial officer Vanessa Hudson next CEO, Stock market today: Asia shares mixed on holiday mode trade. Can my school conduct a random Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Parker and School Board President But those freedoms are not absolute, and over the years, the U.S. Supreme Court has established that government bodies such as school districts may fire employees for what they say if it gets in the way of the agencys mission. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. On negative responses to his social media posts, Moorehead said he does believe that joining thousands to listen to the former president speak and form his own opinions is a civic duty. Moorehead also doesn't dispute that he attended Donald Trump's 'Stop the Steal' rally on January 6, 2021. Success! Not naming Moorehead explicitly, Freund said the teachers temporary reassignment is being treated the same as any other teacher whose conduct has been called into question. ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) A Pennsylvania teacher who was suspended last year during an investigation into his attendance at, and social media posts about, the Stop the Steal rally which later turned to a deadly insurrection on Jan. 6 has been fired for refusing to return to work.