DISCHARGE OF ESPAÑOLA-NEA LOCAL PRESIDENT OVERTURNED BY SCHOOL BOARD: EDUCATION COMMUNITY ACTIVATION HELPED

PRESS RELEASE Tuesday, August 23, 2011
For more information: Charles Goodmacher, NEA-New Mexico (505) 450-3155
John Reese (after 4 p.m.) (505) 692-8318
Todd Wertheim / Roxie De Santiago, The Jones Firm, (505) 982-0011
DISCHARGE OF ESPAÑOLA-NEA LOCAL PRESIDENT OVERTURNED BY SCHOOL BOARD: EDUCATION COMMUNITY ACTIVATION HELPED

Española-NEA Local President John Reese was reinstated to his position as a science teacher at Española Valley High School late last night in a courageous decision by the Española School Board to overturn the Notice of Intent to Discharge issued by the District’s Superintendent, Evelyn Maruska. The decision came on a unanimous vote by the Board. John Reese is back in his classroom today educating students.

The Notice of Intent to Discharge stemmed from an incident May 2011 in which Mr. Reese defended himself and his students from a wandering student who had invaded their outdoor classroom space. The student injured Mr. Reese when he hit him with an 8 foot pipe.

“We thank the Board members for their decision. They displayed fairness and independence in putting an excellent teacher back into the service of our students,” said Michael Lapcevic, Española-NEA Employee Rights Chair and fellow High School teacher. John Reese’ wife Erica Kay notes, “This is not only a great victory for our family, but for students in Española and the union as well.”

Of the victory, NEA-New Mexico UniServ Director Charles Goodmacher said, “No doubt the Board responded to both the strong case put forth by our attorneys at The Jones Firm and the enormous power of collective action as demonstrated by the public, including school employees, who signed a petition in just two days of circulation. Our union is stronger than ever,” notes Goodmacher. “In the Española Public Schools, any employee who had doubts as to whether there is value in being a member of the Española-NEA, is now invited to join by contacting their Association Representative or visiting our web site, www.nea-nm.org,” he added.