Comments on: Should an educator lose his job for something he did on his own time?

By: Insider

Insider — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:40:46 +0000

“he was in his car changing his boots and claims he was on his way to a costume party”.

And you believe that he pulled into an alley known for prostitution to change for a costume party?

By: steve

steve — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:00:37 +0000

this man was not arrested for anything . he was cited for solicitation based on circumstantial evidence . he was not walking in the alley seeking gay sex. the citation was given b/c the officer deemed the man was looking to buy/sell sex in an area frequented by these type of people,( he was in his car changing his boots and claims he was on his way to a costume party), dressed in a way to draw suspicion. you have made him out to be something no one has proven so quit jumping to conclusions. in disclosure, i have 2 children at the school he was principal at and he has done a 100% wonderful job there. i would take him back in a minute, but how much respect would he get from the students? not much i’m afraid. your post is a typical knee jerk reaction , and who among us have nothing in our private lives we wish to keep off the front page?

By: Insider

Insider — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 04:09:45 +0000

I agree with all of you. I didn’t run his picture because I continue to feel sorry for him. When you see it is looks like a regular Joe (of course he got arrested looking for regular “Johns”).

I think his judgment was so skewed, so far off base, that he needs help more than anything else. He reminds me of the firefighter who was arrested playing with himself in a park dressed in a bikini with water balloons in the top.

We did run that photo but that’s just because I knew you sickos would Google for it anyway.

All so sad.

By: James

James — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 20:37:53 +0000

He should run for congress. As long as you’re not a Republican, you’re not held accountable for anything you do.

I think an employer is within its rights to fire an employee who’s off-the-clock conduct might discredit or undermine the employee’s ability to do his work. In this case, I think this would obviously carry through. He’d be the laughing stock of the student body, the faculty, whatever PTA might exist, etc.

Plus you have to wonder about someone whose judgement is this incredibly poor (obviously he knows the risk he’s taking) or stupid, and what other poor or stupid decisions they’re making that DO directly affect their work.

By: Chad

Chad — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:00:23 +0000

oops i missed the part about the arrest. changes everything

By: Draven

Draven — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:21:30 +0000

Who cares about the circumstances of Schum’s arrest?! The simple fact of the matter is that Schum WAS arrested for prostitution. He could have been dressed in his best suit; his clothes at the time of arrest have no bearing on the result of his firing. The fact that he was providing what is assumed to be homosexual services has no bearing on whether he should get fired or not. The fact he was arrested for prostitution has EVERYTHING to do with him being fired. I really could care less if my children have a gay teacher. I would prefer that if my children have a transvestite teacher, the teacher has the sense to dress appropriately during the school day. I will not tolerate a criminal teaching my children, particularly sex crimes.

By: Moonage

Moonage — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:40:12 +0000

Well, it’s not like the Catholic Church has had problems with homosexuality. Being a parent, I wouldn’t want my boy anywhere near this guy. If the school knowingly condoned this type of behavior, then I’d have my kid somewhere else. That’s the problem this school has in that it’s private. Secondly, Kentucky’s a fire-at-will state. There are no protections in the private sector. Schum knew this. He also knew the school had high moral expectations in that it was a religious school. He chose his path. Therefore, he chose the consequences. So, I see absolutely no reason at all the school should be compelled to keep him. Now he’s free to pursue a career doing whatever he pleases that does not present the same conflict.

Hopefully he kept this bizarre fetish limited to after school hours.

I’m 100% behind the school on this one, obviously.

By: Insider

Insider — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 07:01:58 +0000

It was the fake breasts that got you wasn’t it?

By: Chad

Chad — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 06:22:50 +0000

If this was a public school administrator I would have a different opinion but given that he works for a Catholic school system and the fact that Catholics consider homosexuality a sin I think they district is within their rights to fire him.

In this case the behavior goes beyond bad judgment and icky to desperate plea for help and icky.