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ROTTERDAM
Mohon releases teacher comments Views given on honor society applications
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Justin Mason at 395-3113 or jmason@dailygazette.net

    Mohonasen administrators released teacher comments included in National Junior Honor Society applications this year after the district realized their confidentiality wasn't protected due to the state's Freedom of Information Law.
    Parents filing a FOIL request with the district were permitted to see their own child's application, including all teacher comments made during the selection process. They were not given access to other students' applications, District Superintendent Kathleen Spring said.
    But members of the Mohonasen Teachers Association claim the release of the comments sets a dangerous precedent. They argue the comments were made in confidentiality after both students and teachers signed an agreement stating the applications wouldn't be released after the selection process.
    "Teachers will be wary of giving honest assessments of students if they fear repercussions by outside influences," explained Susan Nelson, the association's president, during the district's Board of Education meeting Monday.
    Roughly 40 teachers stood in a show of solidarity as Nelson read her statement to the board. She said one district teacher whose comments were released now faces criticism from parents after making frank assessments of a student not accepted into the honor society.
    Nelson criticized the district for not redacting sensitive comments. By releasing the teacher comments, she said the district is creating an impression that the written agreement students sign isn't binding.
    "The lesson that can be taught is that a written agreement can be withdrawn whenever an outcome is not favorable," she said.
    Spring said the district consulted its attorneys and was assured the statements couldn't be legally withheld in a FOIL request. She said the agreement signed by students and teachers wouldn't have any legal bearing.
    "It wouldn't stand up in court," she said.
    Spring said several parents filed FOIL requests this year, asking to see their child's application. She said the district intends to review the honor society application process to see if revisions are necessary.
    "We need to look at the process people are going through to apply," she said.

The teachers made the comments which affect the selection of the Honor Society applicants they should also be responsible to back those remarks up with facts and not hide behind the secrecy of their remarks. It may prevent a teachers personal dislike for any given student from clouding their input.

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Roughly 40 teachers stood in a show of solidarity as Nelson read her statement to the board. She said one district teacher whose comments were released now faces criticism from parents after making frank assessments of a student not accepted into the honor society.

Each student should be present during the selection process WITH their parents in attendance as well. Make it an open process or do away with the Honor Society all together.

I still say that if any teacher has said something which may affect the student being selected to the Honor Society or being denied those comments should be made public  and if said teacher hasn't got the brass to say something in public then they should keep their mouth shut.

I agree the teachers should be able to back up what they said/say in public---my question is, do the students read/hear all from the teacher, cause that is what matters most....as I see it, this opportunity should be taken by the student as a 'first interview' for the 'BIG JOB' after college.......this is life, with laws and all....eat it up or get eaten alive.....suck it up or get sucked in.......either way both parties student/teacher are responsible for what they create.....as for the parents----will you be in the room of their first big interview, are you able to tell them what an a** their potential employer is(you've heard)----the answer is a resounding NO!!!!