School teacher in Wisconsin SUSPENDED for handling firearm

[bnhcomputing]

Fox news is reporting:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,488567,00.html#

http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9781795&nav=menu1362_2

BEAVER DAM, Wis. — A Beaver Dam Middle School teacher is on administrative leave after school officials discovered a photo of her with a gun on Facebook.

In the photo, Betsy Ramsdale was training a rifle at the camera.

In an e-mail to WKOW-TV in Madison, Ramsdale said she removed the photo immediately and that she is not "interested in any controversy."

Schools superintendent Donald Childs says a concerned staff member brought the photo to the district's attention.

Childs says the use of the photo "appears to be poor judgment" and is unaware of any sinister intent.

Ramsdale's biography on the district Web site states she is in her first year at the school. Department of Public Instruction records show Ramsdale has been licensed to teach since 1996.

Apparently, in Wisconsin, our gun rights are under such an attack, that Wisconsin SCHOOLTEACHERS are NOT allowed to handle firearms and are SUSPENDED if a photo surfaces of them handling a firearm.

 

[bps3040]

That is stupid! Because of a picture!!!

 

[WardenWolf]

That'll never hold up in court. Lawyers love this kind of stuff.

 

[Glockman17366]

There's a lawsuit coming on this utter and incredible poor judgement by the school administrator!!
I hope all THR bretheren in WI contact the appropriate persons to ensure this administrator is discharged and apologises to the teacher.

 

[armoredman]

No apology neccesary, just a pink slip for those responsable. Any words of "sorry" would be grudged and unmeant, waste of time and valuable air. Just fire them.

 

[Kind of Blued]

 

[Mello]

Clearly the suspension is a violation of the teacher's civil rights. So now the teacher contacts the FBI and stop government malfeasance.

 

[rduckwor]

Somebodies gonna make lots of money!!!! And I mean the lawyers.

RMD

 

[Zundfolge]

I want to see the photo first.

If its a simple "at the range" or hunting photo then she should sue and everyone involved in the decision fired.


But if its her mugging for the camera like a gangsta, or posing seductively in a bikini (or less) holding a gun then maybe the school officials have a point.

In the photo, Betsy Ramsdale was training a rifle at the camera.

Such a photo would likely get Mrs. Ramsdale called on the carpet here on THR.

 

[lacoochee]

No mention of said bikini and mugging like a gangster? (very subjective btw) so sounds like a very stupid move on the part of the administrators.

 

[PryItFromMyColdDeadHands]

she is about to get paid!

then she can buy more guns whoo hoo!

 

[BBQLS1]

I have a hard time with somebodies legal extracurricular activities being a reason to fire somebody.

 

[cal74]

It's amazing how the times have changed and how stupid some people are. I hope the teacher gets a HUGE paycheck because of this.

 

[Zundfolge]

Found the pic



I hope she gets paid and someone gets fired.

 

[kentucky_smith]

Benelli Nova?

 

[John828]

Department of Public Instruction records show Ramsdale has been licensed to teach since 1996.

What the heck is this?

The picture is harmless--maybe lacking a little discretion but harmless nonetheless. She probably won't get any money out of the deal unless she pursues it hard. She will probably have to change districts though. That kind of "black" mark leaves a stain unfortunately in the little minds of some.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

"I want to see the photo first.

If its a simple "at the range" or hunting photo then she should sue and everyone involved in the decision fired.


But if its her mugging for the camera like a gangsta, or posing seductively in a bikini (or less) holding a gun then maybe the school officials have a point."

NONE OF THIS MATTERS. It is just the antis trying to keep pros from teaching the truth.
Also, notice the damned media calls what is clearly(even to my 4 yo) a shotgun, a rifle? Shyt, I would love to have a rifle with a bore like that!

 

[Birdhunter1]

So what's wrong with that picture? Hell I guess these days I
d get kicked out of school after deer season when I brought pictures in with deer, gun and truck all in plain view.

 

[Logos]

Nothing wrong with that, with today's cameras nobody has to be behind the camera, you just set it for a delayed shutter and walk around and get in front of it.

No danger to any photographer.....so what's the problem?

Actually, there could be some fine print in her contract that covers this and they could hold her to that.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

I wouldn't have done it, for a lot of reasons.

I ESPECIALLY wouldn't have done it if I were a public school teacher, for lots of additional reasons.

But the school administration will lose this one, in addition to getting a black eye. She'll keep her job, with back pay.

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

whats the probationary period for a teacher in that district?

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Clearly violative of her 1A and 2A rights. I hope she sues their pants off and wins a big settlement. She has every right to do perfectly legal (and ethical) activities on her own time and revealed or posted on "her space" (myspace).

 

[Dienekes]

The school is terminally dumb--but nothing unusual about THAT.

The teacher isn't all that sharp, either. Posting personal info on the internet is flaky to begin with.

 

[jmr40]

She may not have a chance. Teachers sign contracts to work 1 year at a time. They may have to let her finish the year and just not offer her a contract for next year.

There is usually a little clause in the contract that basically says that you can be fired for anything you do that reflects badly on the school system. I've seen several teachers that were not offered a contract for the next year after a DUI or an affair became public. They don't fire you, they just do not offer you a contract for the next year.

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

jmr40 speaks true. shes not some tenured proffesor. and if shes in first year shes very vulnerable