union have repudiated the January 13
letter and its recommendation. But
union President Malka Littman says
the union stands by its letter.
"Our membership is united in its
support of our union and its decision.
We are at this point waiting to hear
from the board, and we are very, very
hopeful because of the overwhelming
support we've received from parents, "
she said. Littman would not say how
many parents have responded, nor
would she provide their names.
Parents of children in Fleischer's
classes are divided in their allegiances,
but none who spoke to The Jewish
News objected to the idea of bringing
in an independent committee.
Shelley Steinberg thinks the teach-
ers should not have sent out such a
strongly-worded letter.
"We had incidents with the teacher
in question, so maybe I'm a little bit
biased, but I think [the teachers]
should have waited until after the
arbitration process instead of airing a
lot of dirty laundry," she said.
Mark Shatz disagrees.
"It wasn't a hateful or spiteful letter,
and an independent committee could
be a helpful thing for the school," he
said, but added that, unlike many par-
ents, he is not angry with the adminis-
union
presented
to
the
board's
execu-
tration. "I've had a positive experience
misconduct, culminating in an inci-
tive
committee
and
mailed
to
all
Hillel
with
Mrs. Fleischer, but I recognize
dent that occurred late in November.
parents
on
January
13,
Fleischer's
fir-
that
she's
very demanding. Some chil-
But he would not disclose any infor-
ing is symptomatic of a larger pattern
dren do well with that, but many stu-
mation about these incidents, saying
of mistreatment faced by Hillel teach-
dents are intimidated by her."
that "Hillel representatives cannot vio-
Evelyn Rosen said she empathizes
ers.
late the privacy of our teaching staff,
The
letter
asserts
that
"we
have
with
Fleischer and thinks she is a
parents or students by discussing this
been subjected to escalating harass-
wonderful
teacher, but "I have to take
matter.",
ment,
intimidation,
humiliation,
a
leap
of
faith
that the school has my
"This is not something we did
deception,
embarrassment,"
and
rec-
child's
best
interest
at hand."
lightly," Margolin added.
ommends that a community-wide
Rhonda Duer thinks Fleischer was
Under the collective bargaining
judged unfairly and that it was unnec-
agreement between Hillel's administra- committee be formed to analyze the
situation
and
asks
parents
to
express
essarily disruptive to make her leave in
tion and the Hillel Day School
support
by
signing
and
returning
an
the middle of the school year.
Teachers' Association, an affiliate of
She and Nurit Sallen — mother of
enclosed
form.
the American Federation of Teachers,
The
union
requested
the
executive
twins
in Fleischer's class — organized
Fleischer's case will go before an inde-
committee of Hillel's board to
a
meeting
between parents and admin-
pendent arbitrator. Once
respond
within
a
week.
istrators
shortly
after the firing. They
Hillel attorney Bob Finkel
Shula Fle ischer:
Although
it
had
issued
no
said
most
parents
accepted the admin-
and union attorney Mark
fired afte r 23
response by press time,
istration's side, but they still are not
Cousens agree upon an arbi- years.
Margolin did send parents a
convinced.
trator, a hearing will be held,
•
letter defending the board's
"I have five years experience with
briefs submitted, and a bind-
decision
and
asserting
that
the
board
Mrs.
Fleischer, so when she was dis-
ing decision made — much like a
would
consider
the
union's
request.
missed,
I sat down with my kids and
trial, Cousens pointed out.
Parents
report
that
various
stories
asked
if
they'd ever heard of her making
Cousens said he does not know
are
circulating
concerning
the
reasons
derogatory
remarks to children;" Sallen
how long the process will take, nor
and
personalities
involved
in
said.
"They
said they'd heard nothing.
what Fleischer hopes to gain from
Fleischer's dismissal. One of the most
At one point we asked Mrs. Fleischer if
arbitration, but said it is likely she will
repeated stories is that Fleischer's firing
it's OK with her to have her file opened
want to be reinstated and receive back
was triggered by a child urinating in
to us, and she said, With open arms, I
pay.
class
after
the
teacher
refused
to
allow
have nothing to be ashamed of But
Fleischer would not comment on
him
or
her
to
go
to
the
bathroom.
the administration doesn't want dirty
her case, saying her attorney has
It
also
is
rumored
that
many
rank
laundry aired out in public." LI
advised against it.
and
file
members
of
the
teachers'
According to a letter the teachers'

Teaching Tumult

In the aftermath
of a veteran
teacher's
dismissal,
rumors fly at
Hillel Day
School.

JULIE WIENER
Staff Writer

lipir Nether you like her or
not, Shula Fleischer, a
teacher for 23 years at
Hillel Day School, pro-
vokes strong feelings.
To some, she is a brilliant teacher
— tough but inspirational. To others,
she is an intimidating woman who
unfairly picks on students.
So, it is no surprise that the fourth-
grade teacher's dismissal two weeks
ago has engendered a flurry of rumors
and accusations. The fact that
Fleischer was president of Hillel's
teachers' union and that contract
negotiations are slated to begin in two
months, further complicates the situa-
tion, leading some to speculate that
the firing was an attempt to under-
mine the union.
"I can tell you that the sole reason
she was terminated was based upon
her conduct in the classroom," said
Hillel President Steven Margolin. The
board voted to dismiss Fleischer on
January 5, in response to recommen-
dations by Hillel's top administrators:
Dr. Mark Smiley, Rochelle Iczkovitz
and dr. Helene Cohen.
According to Margolin, Fleischer's
dismissal is justified by a history of

1/23
1998

9

