Wrongful Termination: Facebook Details

A Georgia school teacher was terminated just three weeks into the 2009 school year when one of her students told school officials that the teacher's Facebook page included photos of her consuming alcohol.

Ashley Payne sued the school last week for being forced to resign without due process. Administrators confronted her about the content of her Facebook page. "There's so much focus on this one little thing in my personal life, and nothing on the good things I had done there," said Payne. "I didn't do anything unethical or immoral. I didn't use foul language or act that way in the classroom."

Payne may have the ability to win the suit, but it is advisable that any professional in any field monitor their public profiles, your employers and clients certainly are.

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Public Records To Remain Open in Austin, TX

Watchdog journalists are fighting the state legislature in Austin, TX. A bill by Rep. Diane Patrick, R-Arlington, would keep confidential information such as home addresses and cell phone numbers for public school teachers and employees. But journalists and open records advocates object to what they say is a deal breaker — removing the days and months of birth dates from open records.

Birth dates are used to differentiate common names from one another when searching criminal records. Obstruction of these dates could lead to a false accusations or exoneration. All teachers are required to undergo criminal background checks in Texas but journalists and open records activists believe in checks and balances when it comes to public school teachers.

"We've seen time and time again where school districts are supposed to run criminal background checks, and watchdog groups and journalists are the ones that point out loopholes in the system. This bill takes that watchdog role away," Elkins said.
Thursday's bill is one of several efforts in the Legislature to keep birth dates and other information about public employees private.

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Hawaii Teacher Drug Testing Program In Jeapordy Due to Economy

Hawaii recently mandated that all teachers would have to submit to a drug test to remain working in Hawaii public schools. Early contract talks are stalling out because the teacher's union is so opposed to the mandate.

Governor Linda Lingle is all too aware of the problem, and is facing economic turmoil as well. The Hawaii Council on Revenues predicts a state tax decrease of $75 million. Revenue growth productions are also expected to decline.

Lingle said that the downturn would force adjustments to the state budget and special funds. "I'm anxious for the election to get over and for the Legislature to elect their leadership so we can sit down (and) begin the discussion between us and the community," she said. Executive branch agencies have already been ordered to draft budget cuts of 10 to 20 percent.

Lingle originally pushed for the random drug testing program for the teachers, and hasn't been able to implement it. She did release state funds for a last round of teacher pay raises despite the unresolved drug testing issue.

The Hawaii Labor Relations Board is reviewing the current contract to see if it requires drug testing to begin. Teachers are fighting it, arguing that the drug test should be limited to cause for suspicion.

Where the funds will come from to support the random drug testing program is unannounced.

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