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Alleges Coercion
CSA Backs Her Council of School Supervisors and Administrators President Ernest Logan called for the DOE to consider her application and filed a legal brief supporting Ms. Almontaser.
The brief continued, "[P]rior to her leaving the school, Ms. Almontaser had the continuing support of all segments of the KGIA community, and the only controversy was that which was created by a few newspapers and bloggers. Under those circumstances, a decision by the Chancellor that public controversy trumps school support and professional qualifications sets a bad precedent that discourages independent and professional leadership." DOE officials declined to comment on the lawsuit. Ripped Over T-Shirt The controversy began after the New York Post printed an article in August that quoted Ms. Almontaser explaining that the word "intifada," often used to refer to the Palestinian rebellion against Israel, meant "shaking off" in Arabic. The reporter was questioning her about the slogan "Intifada NYC" used on a t-shirt by a young women's media group, which had no connection to the former Principal or KGIA. Although she also stated that she did not support the violence often associated with the word, conservative pundits began calling for her resignation. United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and Mayor Bloomberg both condemned her comments. Ms. Almontaser stated in the lawsuit that she was told by officials from the DOE and the support organization New Visions that the school, set to open in September, would be closed if she did not resign. DOE officials denied that they made that threat. The lawsuit alleges that city officials violated Ms. Almontaser's First Amendment right to free speech when they pressured her to resign after the controversy hit the airwaves. She is also charging that her 14th Amendment rights to due process were violated when DOE officials refused to consider her application to come back to the school. In addition, the former Principal is charging a breach of contract after a promise that she would be given a "comparable position" was broken. She is now working as an administrator at DOE headquarters in the Office of School and Youth Development. Calls Foes Race-Baiters Communication Workers of America Local 1180 Vice President Bill Henning joined several dozen community activists and two Council Members at the press conference Nov. 19 announcing the lawsuit. He argued that Ms. Almontaser's case cried out for labor solidarity. "That this whole episode appears to have been orchestrated by a tabloid game of 'Gotcha!' and blown out of proportion by race-baiters makes it doubly offensive," he told supporters gathered outside the Federal courthouse in downtown Manhattan. "Unlike Almontaser, her attackers have no investment in the education and future of New York City's children, but the Department of Education should." As supporters chanted, "Bring Debbie Back!" UFT chapter leader Steve Quester also spoke in support of the former Principal. "As an educator and a Jew," said the elementary school Teacher, "I stand behind Debbie. She stands for peace, reconciliation and education, and she must be reinstated." Says DOE Turned Tail Michelle Fine, a Professor of urban education at the City University of New York's Graduate Center, argued that DOE officials should have defended Ms. Almontaser. She noted past controversial schools, such as one aimed at gay and lesbian youth, which were created with the understanding that sometimes public education needed the protection of a "firewall from undue external influence." The CUNY Professor told the crowd, "The lack of an aggressive defense of Almontaser by the Department of Education signals an insidious nod to those extremists who seek to undermine public education by silencing, censoring, intimidating and demonizing many - including disproportionately Arabs and Muslim-Americans." Although Council Education Committee Chair Robert Jackson and Higher Education Committee Chair Charles Barron also spoke in Ms. Almontaser's defense, Queens Councilman Peter F. Vallone Jr. accused the former Principal of wasting the city's time and money with a "frivolous" lawsuit. "This lawsuit removes all doubt about her lack of fitness to lead children," he said in a statement. "First, she wouldn't stand up to terrorism, and now she admits she couldn't stand up to a little pressure. Our kids face enormous pressure every day. What a perfect role model she would make. I'm glad we 'shook her off.''' Since September, Danielle Salzberg has been acting Principal at KGIA. She is not applying to become its permanent leader. Interviews for a new Principal by a DOE-led committee were scheduled to begin Nov. 20. | ||||||
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