THS teacher files grievance complaint against principal

A social studies teacher from Tinian High School has filed a grievance case against his principal, Florine Hofschneider, for the non-renewal of his contract at the school.

In a letter to Commissioner of Education Rita H. Inos last week, Donald Cohen said he was “shocked and distressed” about the decision not to renew his contract with the school. Cohen said that he has substituted as a teacher for 12 days this semester without complaint.

“I am also due money for teaching summer school in June 2004. I was promised pay by Florine that has yet to materialize,” he said.

Cohen added that he was also told to take the Jr. High Mock Trial Team and was given two weeks to coach the students for the competition. “This proved too much. I believe I was given an impossible task,” he said.

He alleged that Hofschneider has been critical of his work since last year. “I believe these criticisms are petty and, in some cases, false. Not once has she gotten specific with any criticism,” Cohen said, adding that the principal could be affected by politics.

He admitted that he is a friend and supporter of Board of Education board member candidate Don Farrell. He said he asked Farrell to speak in his Civics classes last month on a history topic. Cohen said Hofschneider barred Farrell’s presence, saying that he is a candidate and should not be in the classroom.

A week after, Cohen said the principal invited Lucy Blanco, another BOE board member candidate, to help him with the mock trial. He said the same rules should have been applied to Blanco.

“I wish to start a grievance. I believe that my contract should be renewed and I wish to stay at Tinian Jr./Sr. High. I have done nothing to warrant this treatment,” Cohen said. Copies of his letter were also sent to the Commonwealth Election Commission executive director Gregorio C. Sablan, who said that the grievance case has already been passed to the Attorney General’s Office and the Office of the Public Auditor.

“AGO and OPA have always been very supportive of the Election Commission’s requests for investigations, such as politics-related employment discrimination, political activity violations of ethics and election laws, etc.,” Sablan said.

Sablan suggested that, while Cohen is waiting for the reaction from the commissioner, he should write or call OPA and the AGO directly and ask them to also look into his complaint.

“As you know, it is not always easy to prove political discrimination at the workplace, particularly the non-renewal of employment contracts,” Sablan said.