THE FILTH AT THE TOP

Today's on-line news advises us that the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) did not live up to their legal obligations regarding a pervert teacher who was known to secretly video record young female students without their knowledge or consent. The teacher was eventually fired and I believe also spent six quality months in jail for his behaviour all of which took place on school property while he was in a position of trust regarding students. Currently at least one of those former students are now suing the TVDSB for their failure after the teacher was caught to assist the student victims through professional counselling and more. If any of this is ringing any bells for local people then that is because you recall the Ron Archer affair here in Waterloo Region. Mr. Archer was a teacher who sexually harassed and victimized numerous of his junior high students, both male and female. Mr. Archer may have been the original, although certainly not the only, "pass the trash" teacher that the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) had to offer. He spent twenty years being transferred from school to school, with only the odd brave principal refusing to have him at their school. His reputation for inappropriate, sexualized behaviour with twelve and thirteen year old students was well known within the local educational community (i.e. the WRDSB). .............................................................................................................. Despite this he was allowed free rein with his students which only finally ended when a former student turned eighteen and went to the Waterloo Regional Police with information about how he had been molested etc. by Ron Archer when he was in junior high. Mr. Archer spent four quality years behind bars for convictions which included threatening one male student with a shotgun. At trial, the prior knowledge both within the WRDSB and of his teaching collegues of Mr. Archer's inappropriate and illegal behaviour was astounding. A very few teachers had stood up and demanded action as had one or two principals, all to no avail. For whatever reason including placating and mollifying the teachers union, the WRDSB did nothing significant to stop Mr. Archer's reign of terror within the schools. ........................................................................................................ Today's on-line news article makes it clear that our semi-hopeless court and judicial system are beginning to hold those in charge to a higher standard. The old crap about "well he didn't molest kids in front of me" and other excuses simply aren't good enough. School Boards (TVDSB & WRDSB etc.) know which teachers are the subject of student and or parental complaints. They know from fellow teachers comments when behaviour is either outrageous or illegal and they have a legal duty to both prevent future injurious behaviour as well as to discipline (including removal if necessary) past misbehaviours. Teachers unions serve the purpose of ensuring that discipline is both appropriate and reasonable. My personal experience is with the WRDSB and their behaviour both with Ron Archer and other bad teachers was disgusting and contemptible including attacking parents attempting to protect their children. Presumably long retired now, names like Omand, Stone and maybe Wideman come to mind. They and the WRDSB sometimes received assistance from the police against parents and from certain judicial persons such as the dishonourable Robert Reilly. If there is a hell I wish them a very long time there. They have earned it.