Embattled teacher Matt Nelligan has handed in his letter of resignation, but supporters continue to rally around him.
Elijah Sharma, founder of United for McManus and Nelligan, a group formed in support of Nelligan and his colleague Ann Marie McManus, social studies teachers who were transferred from the high school to the middle school after a controversial culture climate inquiry, said the students were saddened by the news of Nelligan’s resignation.
Sharma said the group is taking steps to prevent future problems in the school district.
I’m not surprised he chose to resign because of the way he was treated, but I am disappointed, Sharma, a senior at Guilderland High School, said.
Sharma said Nelligan was one of the best teachers in the district.
Nelligan, handed in his letter of resignation on Friday, Sept. 5, one day after school started, according to district officials. His last day was Monday, Sept. 8.
Mark Hansen, a spokesman for the state Senate, said Nelligan has taken a position with the Members Service Unit to begin Sept. 23.
As the 2008 school year wrapped up, Nelligan and McManus were told they were being transferred to Farnsworth Middle School following an inquiry by a third party that cited homophobic language being used in the Social Studies department, although nothing was pinned to the teachers specifically.
Protest groups formed over the summer, swarming the school board meetings, as a result of the transfer.
Sharma said United for McManus and Nelligan, an organization with a 500-member e-mail list, is releasing four stipulations for the district to comply with, or else, he said, the group will begin organizing rallies to urge voters to reject the May budget.
The students are asking the district to reverse the transfer of McManus and issue a formal apology to the community and the two teachers.
They are also asking for the resignation of Superintendent John McGuire and a written plan of action to prevent situations like the transfer of the teachers from occurring again.
Sharma, now a paying member of the Parent Teacher Student Association, said United for McManus and Nelligan is going to support candidates for May’s school board election if they support those stipulations.
He also said he is going to be sending a letter to the president of the Guilderland teachers union, Maceo DuBois, inviting him to discuss ways the union can use its influence.
Nelligan issued a statement Wednesday, Sept. 10, regarding his decision to leave the school district.
`While the decision has been difficult, I look back on my 10 years working for the students and parents of the Guilderland School District as rewarding and fulfilling. I am so proud of all of my former students, who have grown into caring, intelligent and civic-minded young adults,` Nelligan said. `I will always be humbled by the fact that I played even a small role in helping them to form their views and opinions and to achieve their goals. I have no regrets, and leave with fond memories of teaching and learning and knowing that I have always acted honorably and in the best interest of our community.`
Town Councilman Mark Grimm said the school board should be held responsible for Nelligan stepping down.
`They need to be held accountable for whatever happens,` he said. `It’s a self-inflicted wound.`
Grimm went on to point out that the issue is bigger than just this particular case.
`This idea is beyond Matt Nelligan. We have to make sure this type of political retaliation never happens again,` he added.
Amy Zurlo, communication specialist for the district, said a certified long-term substitute will be filling in for Nelligan.
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