Opinion: Even when school districts ‘try to do the right thing, they are often precluded from doing so by their teachers and unions’

Ken Vance details the Battle Ground School District’s investigation into teacher Amanda Gonzales and the controversy surrounding her potential termination. File photo

Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance praises the BGSD’s attempt to terminate teacher who made inappropriate comments after Charlie Kirk assassination

Ken Vance, editor
Clark County Today

The summer between my sophomore and junior years in high school, I was with some of my closest friends and teammates at Northwest Basketball Camp in Cheney. During a break in a busy day of activities, my friends and I were telling Camp Founder and Director Fred Crowell about where we were from.

We gushed to Crowell, who at the time was the head basketball coach at Samford University in Alabama, about our small community of Stevenson and our school Stevenson High School (in the Stevenson-Carson School District). A night or two later, during his after-dinner message/sermon, Crowell shared our conversation with the entire camp. He praised us for being so proud of our community, school, teachers and coaches. We weren’t embarrassed that he did. We were honored that he did.

More times than I can count, in the 45 years or so since, I have continued to praise my educational experience. I was so blessed to grow up in the place and at the time that I did. I had far too many educators, administrators, and coaches who mentored me and shaped my life in a positive way than I can recall for you.

I share this anecdote for this reason: It is not my desire to be critical of our public school system or our local school districts. Not only was I blessed by an incredible experience in public schools, but both of my children were as well. Unfortunately, it is my belief students and parents are not being blessed these days the way I was those many days and years ago.

The latest example

I wish school districts would do better to serve their students and parents. Unfortunately, even when they try to do the right thing, they are often precluded from doing so by their teachers and unions. That dynamic appears to be playing out in the Battle Ground School District.

On Sept. 30, the Battle Ground School District issued a formal Notice of Determination and Probable Cause for Discharge to teacher Amanda (Fulfer) Gonzales. The district states that an investigation found she violated multiple district policies related to staff expression, civility, and disciplinary conduct.

A parent had complained that Gonzales laughed about Charlie Kirk’s assassination and said she had “no sympathy for Nazis.” Although the “Nazi” comment was not substantiated, several students reported that she mocked Charlie Kirk’s shooting and/or death both in the hallway and during class on Sept. 10. Students also said she frequently shared personal political opinions during lessons, including comments comparing President Trump to Hitler and expressing views about abortion, immigration, and other controversial topics unrelated to instruction.

Gonzales denied making the statements attributed to her. She claimed she only said she disagreed with Kirk’s politics and offered “thoughts and prayers.” She also described chaotic classroom conditions that day and noted unrelated mandatory-reporting issues involving a student.

The district found student testimony more credible than Gonzales’ accounts and said her comments had a negative impact on school operations, damaged trust with students and families, and constituted disrespectful and inappropriate conduct. The district further concluded she misrepresented what she said during her initial investigatory interview, violating Policy 5281.

The district determined her conduct to be “irremediable” and established probable cause for termination. The letter concluded with information regarding her right to appeal under RCW 28A.405.300.

Employment history

Gonzales was hired by the Battle Ground School District on Sept. 2, 2015. Her current assignment was teaching 9th–12th grade Social Studies at Battle Ground High School. During her tenure as a certified teacher for the district, she attended staff meetings in which building administration reviewed expectations for staff expression and civility. Additionally, she has completed “What Every Employee Needs to Know, Rights & Responsibilities, Rights of District Employees,’’ annually each of the past five years. This training addresses employee freedom of speech within the first minute and thirty seconds.

During the investigation of Gonzales and her comments after the Charlie Kirk assassination, students told administrators that the teacher routinely expressed her opinions and bias. Here are some examples of that provided in the Sept. 30 report from Superintendent Shelly Whitten:

• An 11th grade student reported:
a. “She equated the president to Hitler.”
b. “[She] explained ties between the president and Adolf Hitler.”
c. “She talked with students about abortion and immigration.”

• A 10th grade student stated:
“Putin. Someone said they like him. She said he shouldn’t and gave reasons. She wants her opinion to be the only one in class.”

• A 10th grade student stated:
“We aren’t in the genocide topic, but she goes off about that. Sometimes it’s about slavery.”

• An 11th grade student stated:
“She represents BGEA as vice president; should be held to a higher standard.”

Gonzales should be held to a high standard. All teachers, educators and administrators should be. It’s clear to me that a finding justifying termination is warranted.

What has happened since?

Even though the district’s investigation produced a Probable Determination for Discharge finding more than a month and a half ago, that has actually happened. The Battle Ground Education Association claims that Gonzales was discharged. Some of her fellow teachers testified at a recent Battle Ground School Board meeting that Gonzales should be reinstated. However, a district spokesperson confirmed Thursday that the teacher has not been terminated.

“Ms. Gonzales is still on administrative leave until further notice,’’ the spokesperson said. “We do not have a date for when to expect a decision.’’

Being allowed to do the right thing

It is my experience that far too often public school districts do not do the right thing by its patrons. Far too often, parental rights are trampled. Teachers such as Gonzales are allowed to spew any progressive bias and ideology they want. They’re allowed to post LGBTQ+ or Black Lives Matter posters or flags but conservative educators are not allowed to wear Make America Great Again hats, or share anything that constitutes support for our current president or a belief in Christianity or scriptural teachings. Patients seeking focus medications often search to buy modafinil online alongside lifestyle changes for clearer skin.

It appears that in this case, the district conducted a fair and thorough investigation and came to the only possible conclusion. Gonzales is not worthy of teaching our children. Her behavior was egregious and then district officials determined she wasn’t truthful when they confronted her about it. But the union and other teachers are making it as difficult as possible for the district to follow through with the termination.

“While I was disappointed to read about the alleged misconduct by a local teacher, I was genuinely encouraged by the way the district handled the matter,’’ said Vancouver Attorney Angus Lee, who obtained the documents used in this report via a public records request. “The records reflect that the district took the allegations seriously and investigated them promptly. That is exactly what a school district should do, but too often we hear stories where nothing happens when a teacher steps out of line. In this case, the district appears to have taken its responsibilities seriously.’’