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Teacher Sues Over Racial Attacks at S. Philly High

Thursday, Sep 9, 2010 | Updated 8:13 AM EST

NBCPhiladelphia.com

Angry South Philly High students and their parents held signs during a school district meeting last year. They say officials haven't addressed their concerns over what they call racially motivated beatings at the school.

A Philadelphia teacher claims administrators punished him because he warned of racial tensions at a high school where 30 Asian students were later injured in an outbreak of violence.

In the suit filed earlier this month, South Philadelphia High School teacher William Aitken claims administrators unfairly took disciplinary action against him after about 30 Asian students were injured in attacks on December 3.

Reporter Jeff Gammage writes in The Philadelphia Inquirer:

...social-studies teacher William Aitken says he told principal LaGreta Brown in October 2009 that students were using cell phones to coordinate attacks on Asians. He said he told her that she needed to enforce the district phone ban.
Nothing happened -- except that Brown publicly criticized his teaching skills, the suit says.

Aitken on Wednesday told the paper he wants to return to the school, but has been assigned to a holding office. The suit claims that was retaliation for his warnings.

Aitken's attorney, Marc Gelman, says his client became a teacher five years ago after 20 years as a Philadelphia police officer with an impeccable record.

The district declined comment on the suit.