Students could be punished

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This article was published 02/03/2010 (5788 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Students who filmed two suspended teachers performing a lap dance at Churchill High School and posted the event online could face serious disciplinary action.

The students appear to have violated Winnipeg School Division’s zero-tolerance policies forbidding use of cellphone cameras and other devices in schools.

School board chairwoman Jackie Sneesby refused to rule out punishment for the students Monday.

"We haven’t finished the investigation. It (disciplining students) hasn’t been discussed yet," Sneesby said in an interview. "It isn’t anything we would do without thinking about it."

Teachers Chrystie Fitchner and Adeil Ahmed have been suspended with pay after being filmed performing a lap dance — including simulated oral sex — at a school spirit event in the school gym two weeks ago.

Sneesby would only say the senior administration’s investigation was not completed yet.

The policy on WSD’s website forbids the use of cellphones, video cameras, and similar devices in schools. The only exception is for school projects, but even that use requires prior approval by the principal.

During the open portion of Monday night’s regular school division meeting, trustees Mike Babinky and Kristine Barr asked that they be provided with an update during the subsequent closed session.

Superintendent Pauline Clarke said she would be reporting behind closed doors on process, but there would be no update Monday night on the investigation into the lap dancing teachers.

Babinsky emerged from a closed-door meeting Monday night to tell reporters senior administrators had not given trustees any new information. Babinsky said he was told repeatedly his continuing to express his opinion about the Churchill situation could jeopardize the eventual outcome of the case.

However, Babinksy said he was assured in the closed-door meeting that unidentified division personnel have been talking to Churchill students about the impact of both the incident with the two teachers and a traffic accident that recently sent a Churchill student to hospital.

Despite being told not to express his opinion, Babinsky speculated the division could fire the teachers, could allow their contracts to expire or the teachers themselves could choose to resign. Babinsky suggested Education Minister Nancy Allan could even consider cancelling their teaching certificates.

Winnipeg Teachers Association president Dave Najduch said the two teachers have heard nothing yet from the division. They have been suspended with pay since Feb. 19.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca

Zero tolerance

Winnipeg School Division’s policy suggests students who filmed and posted online the lap dance may have violated WSD rules:

 

"4.1 (k) The use by students, staff and community members of the camera / video functions of all multifunctioning communication devices is strictly prohibited in all schools in The Winnipeg School Division except with the prior permission of the principal for a class/school/Division project.

"4.2 Any violation of guidelines for acceptable use shall be considered grounds for disciplinary action which may include suspension, loss of computer privileges, and/or appropriate legal action."