LAUSD investigated for allegedly reassigning, not removing, teachers accused of sex misconduct

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The U.S.Department of Education is investigating the Los Angeles school district for allegedly reassigning — rather than removing — teachers who have been accused of sexual misconduct, including those who have had “romantic relationships” with students.

The department alleges that the district, under terms “cemented” in its contract with the teachers union, “appears to guarantee that teachers will be reassigned, not terminated or immediately removed from student facing roles, while officials investigate” accusations made against instructors.The federal interpretation of alleged wrongdoing appears to be based on the meaning of the word “reassignment.” The federal agency seems to presume that reassignment means an accused teacher has a contractual right to teach at a different school.If that’s the case, the L.A.

Unified policy would be illegal under federal law, the department contends.The district, however, said it defines reassignment differently.Any “insinuating” that the school system assigns those under investigation to other schools “is not true,” the district said in a statement released after the federal announcement.

“Confusion seems to center on the meaning of the term ‘reassignment.’ ‘Reassignment’ typically means an employee is directed to remain at home and away from students and schools during an investigation.”Although education jargon can be confusing, the district’s use of the word reassignment is in line with other public school districts.The LAUSD policy states that “a reassignment is defined as the provisional removal of an employee from their regularly assigned workplace for the safety of District students, staff, or the workplace (e.g., ‘temporary pull,’ ‘housing’ an employee, relocation of worksite for investigation into allegations, issuing a ‘stay-away’ notice, suspension pending dismissal).’” ...