NEW YORK — In 16 cases where The New York City Education Department wanted to dismiss teachers found guilty of misconduct, an arbitrator overruled the department in favor of a milder penalty such as a fine, suspension or formal reprimand.
As a result, 14 of those 16 teachers are still in contact with students, The New York Times reports. They were accused of misbehaviors that fell short of requiring criminal prosecution, such as physical contact that made students uncomfortable or E-mailing and texting students repeatedly.
At least seven New York school employees have been arrested in the past three months; in two of those cases, the teachers had been previously accused of misconduct.
Earlier this year, Dennis M. Walcott, the schools chancellor, ordered a review of all substantiated cases of misconduct. Following the review, he fired four aides and has begun proceedings to fire four tenured teachers. However, New York law grants tenured teachers the right to a hearing in front of an arbitrator before they can be fired.
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