LCHS Teacher Charged With Slur Was Previously Accused

math teacher who stands accused of calling a Jewish student "Jew boy'' last school year was previously accused back in 2009 of referring to her students as "s--theads,'' according to a parent who complained to the district two years ago.

Hillary Werhane told Patch this week that in December 2009 she contacted administrators--none of whom are currently part of La Cañada Unified School District--about Gabrielle Leko, alleging that the veteran teacher spelled out the word "s--theads'' in reference to her child's class.

Werhane further complained that Leko allegedly told the students to go to "hell"--again, spelling out the profanity during class.

Regarding the 2009 allegation, Superintendent Wendy Sinnette told Patch, "I can assure you that [former superintendent Jim Stratton] handled the complaint with the site administrator at the time, following all necessary protocols and procedures."

Sinnette added: "If the allegation was unsubstantiated, it would have been appropriately dropped.  If substantiated, it would have resulted in corresponding progressive discipline, which would remain confidential as a personnel matter.''

Unfortunately, according to Werhane, she was not advised one way or the other.

Werhane came forward about the earlier complaint after hearing about on Patch.

"I am absolutely horrified that Ms. Leko is still teaching at LCHS, and that is why I have chosen to come forward and speak up,'' Werhane wrote in an email to Patch. Werhane's child has since graduated from LCHS.

"Ms. Leko needs to leave now and the school district needs to clean up its act,'' she added.

Leko has not responded to repeated requests for comment. A phonecall and emails were not returned, though the district's spam filter often precludes employees' receipt of emails from a person unless the employee first contacted that person.

Mandy Redfern, president of the her organization is working closely with the district to address the most recent allegations, brought forward from a complaint filed by school board member Cindy Wilcox.

Wilcox, acting as a member of the general public, filed a complaint against Leko in June for allegedly showing gender and racial bias to students during the 2010-'11 school year, and specifically referring to one honors student with the aforementioned ethnic slur. Wilcox has asked that Leko, chair of the high school math department, be dismissed.

The 2010-'11 Allegations

Wilcox, Leko, their representatives and Assistant Superintendent Patrica Hager are scheduled to meet Wednesday to address the written complaint.

In addition to allegations that Leko violated the district's attendance and makeup policy, return time with teacher feedback and compliance of special education requirements, Wilcox further charges that Leko created an uninviting learning environment in last year's ninth-grade math honors classroom, according to a district summary of the complaint.

Specifically, Wilcox's complaint alleges, Leko made comments that could be construed as gender and ethnic bias and Leko held inconsistent expectations regarding student work.

Regarding the 2010-'11 allegations, Sinnette has said and it "will be thoroughly reviewed consistent with existing procedures established by the district's board policies and collective bargaining agreements.''

The 2009 "S--theads'' Complaint

Because Werhane found Leko's alleged 2009 comments ''egregious,'' and given that the alleged incident occurred just before winter break, the parent skipped over contacting Leko directly, she said. Instead, Werhane said that she communicated directly with then-assistant principal Joanne Davidson.

A December 2009 email from Davidson to Werhane obtained by Patch reads that the assistant principal shared Werhane's complaint with then-principal Audra Pittman. Eventually, according to Werhane, Pittman indicated the matter had gone before then-Superintendent Jim Stratton. It is unclear what, if any, disciplinary action occurred.

"I did not pursue the issue further. Where was I to go?,'' Werhane told Patch.

Werhane questions the power of the La Cañada Teachers Association to control the complaint process against teachers. And although Redfern told Patch Tuesday she is unaware of the 2009 complaint against Leko, Redfern wrote that the district administration is responsible for handling any actual complaints.

"The only role we play outside of negotiations is a counseling role for our members. We help them to understand the process, and we ensure the contract language is followed,'' Redfern said in an email.

When is a Parent's Complaint Brought to the Attention of the School Board?

Sinette explained that the final stage of a formal complaint against an employee results in a meeting of the employee, the superintendent or designee and the complainant. And that the decision of the superintendent or designee is final. Thus, the governing board does not hear the complaints.

Board member Wilcox said Tuesday that she only heard about the 2009 complaint against Leko recently.

"This means that in fall 2010 and fall 2011, students were enrolled in classes with Mrs. Leko, and families were not notified that this teacher had recently [allegedly] demonstrated a serious lack of judgment.

"In my opinion, this community needs to grapple with the questions: What is the district's role in protecting children, and how much information should parents have about teachers before a child spends a year in the classroom with that teacher?''