Lengthy Seashore College trainer caught sending racist image of kid

A Southern California trainer accused of sharing a stunning racist meme has left his job after investigators mentioned his declare he was hacked was a lie.

John Solomon, a longtime educator within the Lengthy Seashore Unified College District, retired whereas dealing with potential self-discipline following a months-long probe into the incident, the Lengthy Seashore Publish stories.

The case centered on a controversial picture circulated in a personal group chat that triggered outrage amongst lecturers, dad and mom and the broader neighborhood.

The meme depicted a cartoon of a black little one sporting an ankle monitor alongside the message: “We want this for our runners.”

Colleagues mentioned the message appeared to mock particular schooling college students who generally depart campus with out permission, elevating issues it focused each race and incapacity.

An unbiased investigation commissioned by the district discovered the message “belittled college students of coloration and college students with disabilities,” concluding it contributed to a dangerous surroundings and broken Solomon’s skill to successfully educate.

Solomon denied ever sending the meme, insisting his cellphone had been hacked. However each a lecturers union investigative panel and the district finally rejected that declare.

Based on the district’s findings, his model of occasions conflicted with a number of witness accounts, and he declined a proposal to have his cellphone forensically examined — a step that might have supported his protection.

The controversy first surfaced final fall whereas Solomon was serving on the lecturers union’s bargaining committee.

As scrutiny grew, union leaders publicly criticized him and referred to as for his resignation from a management position. Fellow educators additionally pushed him out of the place.

Initially, the college district opted to not pursue its personal inquiry, citing the message as a part of inside union communications.

However that stance modified after the picture turned public, igniting what officers described as a “public outcry” and prompting complaints from households and college students, together with formal allegations of discrimination.

Solomon remained employed however was positioned on paid administrative depart for roughly six months because the district reexamined the case. Investigators finally decided his denial lacked credibility, paving the way in which for disciplinary motion.

Quite than face termination, Solomon selected to retire — a transfer he now claims was successfully compelled.

In a grievance filed in opposition to his union, he alleges he was pushed out “to keep away from termination and subsequent lack of pay and medical insurance.”

He’s additionally accusing the Academics Affiliation of Lengthy Seashore of mishandling the state of affairs, claiming union management allowed the meme to unfold extensively past the unique non-public chat. Based on his submitting, flyers that includes his picture and the meme have been distributed in school websites, additional amplifying the controversy.

Solomon contends the union later refused to offer him authorized illustration throughout the disciplinary course of except he agreed to waive sure claims in opposition to them.

“Lengthy Seashore Unified holds staff to clear expectations for skilled conduct. Actions that undermine a respectful and inclusive studying surroundings are taken severely and addressed in accordance with District coverage and relevant legislation,” a spokesperson for the district mentioned.

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