District Clarifies Position on Teacher Who Made Slur

The on Tuesday clarified the district's position on high school math teacher Gabrielle Leko, who was accused of calling a student "Jew Boy'' and whom administrators found to have used inappropriate language in class.

The district and Superintendent Wendy Sinnette came under fire for allowing Leko to remain in her job while ordering in response to complaints.

Now, the district is saying it's up to the governing board members--including the two newest, Ellen Multari and Andrew Blumenfeld--to decide "whether to pursue additional consequences," suggesting that Leko's job could still be in jeopardy.

District officials, however, have not said what needs to happen for the board to decide one way or the other. They did say that a decision could be made in closed session prior to the Dec. 6 meeting.

In any case, it's doubtful the district will explain itself further: Its statement says, "Taking into consideration the advice of legal counsel, the board will, at that time, discuss what its options are, the consequences of each of those options, and decide what if any additional discipline shall be forthcoming. Due to employment privacy laws, no additional actions related to those the administration has already taken nor any additional actions decided upon by the school board will be disclosed.''

The District's full statement:

At least two local publications have recently  reported that the decision was made to allow Gabrielle Leko to keep her job and that the only consequence of the District’s findings are that she will be required to participate in an individualized sensitivity and diversity training. This is not accurate.

The La Canada Unified School District board members have been apprised of the administration’s findings.   It is now up to the school board to decide whether or not to pursue additional consequences.   Since that decision will be made in the next closed session, newly elected board members, Ellen Multari and Andrew Blumenfeld, will participate in the discussions.

Taking into consideration the advice of legal counsel, the board will, at that time, discuss what its options are, the consequences of each of those options, and decide what if any additional discipline shall be forthcoming. Due to employment privacy laws, no additional actions related to those the administration has already taken nor any additional actions decided upon by the school board will be disclosed.

Check back on LCF Patch as we continue to report this story.