On March 11, Rodriguez was in her classroom discussing her disbelief in God and the Bible with students when the alleged incident took place. Rainer and Robinson deny the allegations. Robinson’s lawyer, Johnny L. McCray Jr., said he has statements from several students who witnessed the incident and who confirm their version of events. “This letter is to inform you that your administrative reassignment location is being changed,” wrote David Golt, executive director of the Broward School District’s Professional Standards & Special Investigative Unit (SIU), in memorandums issued to Rainer and Robinson on April 23. “You are not to return to Blanche Ely High School unless so directed by me.”
Violation of state anti-bullying law allows for criminal penalties, but Golt said the district is not conducting a criminal investigation. Nevertheless, Rainer has been stripped of her post, demoted as director of the school’s reading department. Both Rainer and Robinson are the subjects of hallway gossip after they were escorted out of their classrooms in April, in front of students, and were ordered not to return to school grounds.
But McCray said the sprinkling of holy water never happened. “There was never anything sprayed or sprinkled on anyone or anything, absolutely nothing,” McCray explained. “This is a total fabrication being made against good teachers.” Holy water is sterile water or oil that Christians use in prayer rituals. After the water is sanctified by a priest, preacher or congregational leader, it is deemed to have been blessed with divine powers.
4 comments:
So there are "several" students who have made statements that this never happened. If it's all just a lie and a fabrication, shouldn't it be more like nearly all of the students, not just a vague "several"? If they need to use that word, they don't even have the majority of the students saying this sprinkling didn't happen. I have a feeling a certain Commandment is being broken here.
While they were bullying, I'd think that if this were an isolated incident, if the teacher who was douched pursues their dismissal it's a tad unfair. If he's an atheist it's just an irritation involving being sprayed with totally worthless water, it's less of an issue than being hit by a waterballoon.
The intention behind the act is what makes this significant. Regardless of the silliness of the concept of sprinkling holy water on someone, the act and motivation behind it are highly insulting and mean, even if these Christians would deny that.
Not to condone what these two did (because it's completely unacceptable), but why was Rodriguez discussing her religious non-beliefs in the classroom? If it wasn't a religious studies class, that's kind of inappropriate.
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