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Anti-war Albuquerque teachers not rehired

By The Associated Press
06.11.03

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Two teachers suspended for posting anti-war material in their classrooms have not been rehired for next year and a third has resigned.

Heather Duffy of Rio Grande High School and Geoff Barrett and Allen Cooper of Highland High School were on short-term contracts that were not renewed, said Rigo Chavez, a spokesman for the Albuquerque school district. Such contracts expire at the end of each school year.

Duffy sent a letter of resignation before she was told her contract was not renewed, Chavez said yesterday.

In March, administrators suspended six employees and docked them two to four days of pay after they refused to remove anti-war materials from classrooms or offices.

According to district policy, educators are supposed to serve as impartial moderators in debates, rather than teach particular viewpoints.

Barrett and Cooper were suspended after refusing to remove student artwork with war-related messages. Duffy was suspended for refusing to remove an anti-war poster.

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit challenging the earlier suspensions of Cooper and two other educators.


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About 25 people crowd into Albuquerque, N.M., administration building lobby to protest suspensions. 03.19.03

Two N.M. teachers suspended for displaying students' war posters

Highland High School's Allen Cooper was cleared to return to work today after meeting with officials, but hearing for Geoffrey Barrett was postponed after he walked out. 04.02.03

ACLU challenges N.M. district's suspensions of anti-war teachers
Educators' attorney says Albuquerque administrators have 'clamped down on anti-war expression that did not in the least interfere with the educational process.' 04.21.03

Poetry coach says students' verses got him fired
New Mexico teacher files lawsuit, saying trouble with Albuquerque district began after school officials heard teens' anti-establishment opinions. 09.17.03

ACLU, school district reach deal over suspended anti-war teachers
Settlement requires Albuquerque officials to repay plaintiffs two days' wages, remove letters of reprimand from their files and pay attorney fees, costs. 11.17.03

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