Did Teacher Bruce H. Smith Jr. Go Too Far? School District Sued by Parents Over Sexually Explicit Classroom Material
In Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania, parents identifying themselves as “Jane and John Doe” are suing the Pleasant Valley School District, its board, Superintendent Frank Pullo, and Pleasant Valley High School principal John Gress in federal court for allowing high school history teacher Bruce H. Smith Jr. to show and talk about “sexually explicit and offensive material” to his 16 and 17-year-old students and corrupting minor children.
According to the lawsuit, Smith showed his students photos of nude, dismembered, female murder victims in class and had sexually explicit conversations with students. The lawsuit maintains that Smith provided his “sexually explicit” book, “Memoirs of a Class President,” about his teenage romantic life to students. (Students say they were told about the book, but never given it to read. Students who have read the book call it an honest coming-of-age account like “Catcher in the Rye” or “Go Ask Alice.”)
The lawsuit states that the parents were retaliated against when the district first revealed their identity - their daughter was in Smith’s class and according to anonymous posts on the Pocono Record News website, she no longer attends the school.
The parents are also upset that the principal allowed Smith to call them at home to explain what he was doing in the classroom. This action caused them “substantial anxiety and emotional distress.” (Click here to read the lawsuit filing.)
Students are rallying around Smith and have held a roadside rally. They say Smith’s lessons include frank talk and exposure to graphic imagery in conjunction with discussions about historical topics like Manson murders, the Holocaust, and the Bill Clinton presidency. Students say he always warns them before showing them the pictures, and gives them the option of leaving the classroom.
Did Bruce Smith go too far? My personal opinion that it probably wasn’t wise that he share his memoir with the kids. But if the murder pictures and discussion were appropriate to what was being taught in the classroom then this lawsuit is ridiculous.
I’ve seen parents threaten lawsuits and pull their kids from school over a picture of Michelangelo’s David being shown in art class (eek - a nude statue!) So I’m not shocked over this lawsuit. Still, I find it really odd that they didn’t put their names on the lawsuit and want money in addition to getting Smith to stop his supposed “corrupting behavior.” Why don’t they have the guts to take the heat if they truly believe that the school district, principal and teacher are in the wrong?
Maybe it’s just a case of Parents Behaving Badly - what do you think, dear reader?
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Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania, lawsuit, Pleasant Valley School District, Superintendent Frank Pullo, Pleasant Valley High School, Principal John Gres, Bruce H. Smith, history teacher, memoirs, sexually explicit and offensive material
May 17th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
I think it’s a silly lawsut as well. Perhaps telling students about his memoirs was not the best decision, but, as one student pointed out, he didn’t give them copies or make the book required reading. So, perhaps not the best decision, but still nothing to sue over. If you have the courage of your convictions, why not put your name on the lawsuit? Having the man you’re trying to sue call you and explain himself sounds like an adult way to handle things to me. He shouldn’t be allowed to give his side of the story - you should just be allowed to paint him into a corner? That hardly seems fair. Now if he was harassing the parents, that’s different. However, if he really did just call to try to clear the air and alleviate some fears, no biggie - I’d say that’s being a good teacher…
People will sue for anything. I think the lawsuit is lame.
But that’s just me.
May 18th, 2007 at 11:15 am
According to the story, the parents contacted the school officials, and requested anonymity. Had the officials called the parents and arranged a meeting with the teacher, that would have been appropriate. After the teacher called the parents, however, in disregard to their request, they filed suit.
Imagine your kid in school, being taunted by peers because your parents think the teacher is inappropriate; anonymity sounds logical to me.
The memoirs, the discussions of pillow fights and ‘first times’ are what really put this teacher over the edge. if it is proven he did share these things with the class, and unless someone can justify how those items fit the curriculum, I can’t see how this teacher should hold his job.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:31 pm
ALthough this comment is about a year late, lol, I will address you charlie. The memoirs were something that he discusses when he mentions who he is and how he got to where he is and explains how life really works you idiots. Stop being afraid of reality. 2. The pillows fights were discussed because of the imagery of what men really think of women in pillow fight. So who is to blame or that one, and 3. First times are what these kids may have to deal with. You must understand that this teacher does teacxh history, believe me he is the best history teacher that PVHS has. But he is also human and these kids see that. They respect his knowledge not his authority. In return he respects their humanity something that seems to be lost in today’s society. See the truth behind the paparazzi. See what is truly there not what they want you to see. Do research and know the facts before you go and judge anything, Maybe then our country will stop being a laughingstock of the world.