We have received many messages and phone calls about a BUSD teacher who has been in the news for expressing her views about the violent protests at U.C. Berkeley on February 1, 2017.
Many have asked us whether the teacher in question will be disciplined for her political activities and for public statements she has made. As a public school district, we follow the law, including the U.S. and California Constitutions, the California Education Code, and our collective bargaining agreements. We do not discuss personnel matters in public.
It is important to emphasize that we firmly support the First Amendment right to free speech. We also strongly condemn the use of violence in confronting speech, even speech we might find abhorrent or counter to the values of our community.
We have previously quoted Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his words are just as applicable today:
Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Ty Alper, President of the Board of Education
Donald Evans, Ed.D., Superintendent
Any questions may be addressed to the BUSD Public Information Officer, Charles Burress, charlesburress@berkeley.net, 510-644-6320.
