Who is Deyshia Hargrave?
January 10, 2018
Veering away from city politics for this story which absolutely infuriated me.
Deyshia Hargrave who won “Teacher of the Year” award is a language arts teacher in Louisiana, who had the audacity to appear before the School Board and voice her objection to approving a new contract for superintendent Jerome Puyau which included a $38,000 raise.
She is quoted as saying:
“I have a serious issue with a superintendent or any person of leadership getting any type of raise. I feel like it’s a slap in the face to all the teachers, cafeteria workers and any other support staff we have. We work very hard, with very little, to maintain the salaries we have.”
After Ms. Hargrave’s comments, board president Anthony Fontana ruled that she was out of order and warned her that the public comment section was not a question-and-answer session. (These arrogant,elected officials truly believe they don’t answer to the lowly public. I mean really, who the hell are we to question their authority?)
When the board ultimately voted to approve superintendent Jerome Puyau new contract with the $38,000 raise Ms. Hargrave raised her hand, was recognized, stood once again and spoke on the issue of teachers raises. (Teachers in Louisiana have not had a pay increase in a decade, a decade, that’s 10 years without a raise. Thank God bread, milk and tuna prices haven’t increased over the years.)
After Ms. Hargrave began asking more questions about the raise, she was interrupted by Mr. Fontana the school board president, saying that her question was not related to the agenda which was the superintendent’s new contract, and a number of teachers in attendance shouted in unison “with a raise.”
OK Here is where it really get’s interesting.
In my opinion when Ms. Hargrave was interrupted by School Board President Lord Fontana, that was the signal for her removal and a city marshal approached her and warned, “you are going to leave or I am going to remove you. Take your things and go.” while he is trying to remove her Superintendent Puyou is addressing her, but the cop pay’s no attention. In the video it appears Ms. Hargrave picked up her purse and started to leave.
When she and the cop were out of sight in the hallway Ms. Hargrave could be heard shouting “What are you doing, your hurting me.” The video shows her on the ground and the cop placing her hands behind her back while applying handcuffs then she was placed under arrest, and later bonded out of jail.
If you see the video the cop is well over 6′ and she looks like she may reach 4′. The unidentified cop is a prime example of why people distrust cops and paint them with the same brush. He sure showed her, smart enough not to throw her on the floor where folks could see what was happening but in the hallway with no one watching. Oops, is that a camera up there? Hell of a way to treat “Teacher of the year.”
The school board members aren’t making comments but Ike Funderburk, city attorney and prosecutor viewed the video made this statement: “I have reviewed the video and I am not going to approve any charges against the teacher, I talked with the attorney for the school board, and they do not wish to pursue any charges against the teacher.”
Ya think?
OK teachers who spend more time with our children than some parents do are not receiving the respect they deserve from the children they oversee, can’t go a week without hearing of a teacher attacked by a child, parents refusing to back them, my Johnny/Janie wouldn’t do that and the total lack of respect by the Louisiana school board and a city marshal. You have to wonder why they choose teaching as a profession.
I hope she sues and receives enough money her great, great grandchildren will be set for life. When a politician have to pay out–then they get it.
Bless them all
PS
Just read the school board has received death threats.