14 NYC Teachers Accused Of Bad Behavior Still Working After Arbitrator's Ruling
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Fourteen teachers accused of bad behavior are still working because an arbitrator overruled New York City's attempts to fire them.
The teachers were among 16 instructors the Department of Education identified in recent years as behaving badly with students. The other two teachers were removed after new allegations surfaced.
Speaking on WOR's John Gambling Show, Mayor Michael Bloomberg shared his thoughts on the situation.
"The arbitrators are picked jointly by the teachers union and the city. Sometimes they rule with the city, sometimes they don't. Some of their rulings don't make any sense, but the theory is that they don't want to be too tough on union members because then the union will never allow them to be selected," Bloomberg said Friday.
Despite finding wrongdoing, an arbitrator decided to dole out lesser penalties like a fine, suspensions or a formal reprimand.
"The allegation is -- don't know if it's true or not -- but the allegation has always been that some of these arbitrators are not reluctant, just will not impose any penalties. Maybe if you were a serial ax murderer, you might get a slap on the wrist," Bloomberg said.
Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott said if it were up to him, the teachers would not be back in the classroom.
At least seven New York City school employees have been arrested for sexual offenses involving students in the last three months.
Do you think all those accused of bad behavior should have been fired? Share your thoughts in the comments section...
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