Are Grand Blanc teachers cutting classes to make time for politics?

      The Michigan Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, is openly working to recall Gov. Rick Snyder and several Republican members of the state legislature, including State Rep. Paul Scott, R-Grand Blanc.

      That’s certainly the union’s right.

      But do union teachers have a right to let summer school students out of class early, so the teachers can attend a recall rally staged outside the school? Do they have the right to spout their political views to children in class without presenting both sides of the issue?

      That’s what’s been happening at Grand Blanc High School, according to one enraged parent.

      Ken Jones of Grand Blanc has a teenage daughter enrolled in the district’s summer school program. He says he pays tuition for the program, which exists to give kids time to catch up on their studies.

      Jones told EAG he received a text message from his daughter around 1:50 p.m. last Thursday, informing him that students were being released at 2:15 p.m. that afternoon, fifteen minutes early.

      Jones said his daughter then texted him about Scott – “Have you heard what Paul Scott is trying to do,” and “He’s trying to get rid of teachers and put more kids in class.” Jones said he texted back, saying “You must have heard that from your teacher,” to which his daughter responded “Yeah, all the teachers came in my class, and they are leaving early to sign papers (the Scott recall petition).”

      The classroom teacher – a “Mr. Carney” -  asked the girl whom she was texting, according to Jones. When she indicated it was her father, Carney asked if her dad was “some sort of hardcore Republican,” according to Jones. The teacher allegedly ended the conversation by telling the girl “remember who writes your grade,” Jones said.

      While students are supposed to be released at 2:30 p.m., teachers are supposed to stay until 3 p.m. to provide individual assistance to students who seek it, according to the school district.  

      Jones’ friend, David Dohrman of Grand Blanc, told EAG he went to the school to pick up Jones’ daughter at 2:15 p.m. and found teachers engaged in an anti-Scott political rally on the “common area/curb/parking lot” of the school. There was a booth nearby where people could sign a recall petition against Rep. Scott.

      The rally was taking place on a public easement, and was therefore legal, according to a statement from the school district.

      Dohrman said he was certain about the time when he picked up Jones’ daughter – 2:15 p.m. He said he was actually happy he could pick her up earlier than usual, because he was attending an out-of-town concert that evening.

      Dorhman said Jones’ daughter was excited when she got into his car and was making a lot of statements critical of Rep. Scott, based on information she received from her teachers.

      ”What’s so ridiculous is that they want to drag kids into this and indoctrinate them,” said Dohrman, a former assistant director of community education in the Grand Blanc district. “But they happened to pick on the wrong people in this case. The Jones are not political people. They are just not.”

      EAG contacted Grand Blanc Superintendent Mike Newton, who said he talked to Charles Schramm, director of the summer school program, and was assured that no teachers left their classes early last Thursday to participate in any sort of political event.

      ”He said nobody did that,” said Newton, who indicated that he will contact Jones and continue to investigate the situation.

      Newton said teachers are not paid to do union business on school time, and such behavior would never be tolerated. He added that Schram acknowledged that there had been negative statements in classrooms – with students present – regarding Rep. Scott.

      ”That is not going to be tolerated, either,” Newton said.

      EAG was unable to contact Schramm this morning for comment.

      Jones said he was informed by his daughter that teachers frequently complain to students about their salaries and benefits. While Jones said he is not political, he believes teachers’ political opinions should be left out of the classroom.

      ”We are paying for our kids’ education, and teachers can just decide that they can cut into our time to support an issue that is personal to them,” Jones wrote in a prepared statement. “And since when is a teacher allowed to push their political agenda upon our children without presenting both sides of an issue?

      ”Our family is not what you would call highly political, so in no way am I looking at this as a Republican or Democratic issue. This is strictly an issue of right and wrong, and we as parents and citizens should be outraged at this. Let’s make a point to let our educators know ‘Check your personal agenda in the parking lot with your car.’ “ 

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