Statement on Cobb County School District鈥檚 Tribunal Decision to Reject Recommendation by Superintendent to Terminate Educator
COBB COUNTY, Ga.聽鈥� A three-member tribunal, appointed by the Cobb County Board of Education, issued a聽decision聽yesterday rejecting the superintendent鈥檚 recommendation to terminate longtime Cobb County educator Katherine Rinderle for reading聽My Shadow is Purple聽to her gifted students at Due West Elementary School. Rinderle is represented by the聽聽and the聽.听
鈥淚 appreciate the tribunal's consideration of my case and decision not to terminate me,鈥澛�搁颈苍诲别谤濒别听said. 鈥淗owever, I disagree that I've violated any policy and that finding remains unjust and punitive. The district has not provided adequate guidance on how I am supposed to know what is and what is not allowed in the classroom based on these vague policies. Prioritizing behaviors and attitudes rooted in bigotry and discrimination does not benefit students and undermines the quality of education and the duty of educators.鈥�
鈥淎fter hearing the evidence, the tribunal made the right decision on Ms. Rinderle鈥檚 termination,鈥� said聽Attorney Craig Goodmark. 鈥淏ut we disagree with their findings of wrongdoing on two charges presented by the Cobb County School District. Ms. Rinderle is an accomplished educator with a proven track record for elevating student achievement. Reading an age-appropriate book chosen by her gifted students that celebrates kindness and inclusion just further supports that fact. We strongly urge the Cobb County School Board to accept the tribunal鈥檚 recommendation as to termination and reject its finding of wrongdoing. Anything less would be unjust.鈥澛�
鈥淭he tribunal鈥檚 decision sends a clear message that politically-motivated efforts that harm students and attack teachers have no place in our schools,鈥� said聽Michael Tafelski, senior supervising attorney for children鈥檚 rights at the 人兽性交.听鈥淢s. Rinderle courageously challenged her termination in the face of hate and bigotry. And our message to the teachers in Cobb County and across Georgia, like Ms. Rinderle, working for equity, acceptance, and inclusion in your classrooms: Please don鈥檛 stop.鈥�
The Cobb County School Board will vote to adopt, reject or modify the tribunal鈥檚 decision during an upcoming school board meeting. Learn more about Katherine Rinderle鈥檚 story聽here.听
