By Star Ledger Staff
It was three months ago when anti-gay comments posted on Facebook by a Union High School teacher caused a nationwide controversy. Now, those comments may cost the instructor her job.
The Union Township school board announced today it has filed tenure charges against Viki Knox, the longtime teacher and faculty adviser to the high school’s Bible study group.
Board president Francis R. Perkins said the charges were formally filed in late December after a three-month investigation of Knox’s conduct, the first step in what could be a lengthy and costly process to fire her.
"Every student, no matter what race, creed color or sexual orientation ought to be able to come to school and feel comfortable in a learning environment that’s welcoming and nurturing," Perkins said.
Knox, 50, who has been on paid administrative leave, could not be reached. Sandy Oxfeld, Knox’s attorney, said he would have no comment on the case while it is in litigation.
The move by the Union school board has rekindled a broader issue of free-speech rights of teachers in the growing age of social media.
The entire story is here.
