School Board Pulls Settlement Off Table In Teacher Dispute

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Perry Township School Board pulled a possible settlement involving an embattled teacher off the table Tuesday in a twist that could cost the teacher her career.

Connie Heermann went behind closed doors with her 27-year teaching career on the line for using a controversial book, "The Freedom Writers Diary," in her classroom, 6News' Rick Hightower reported.

The district suspended Heermann, an English teacher at Perry Meridian High School, after she refused to collect the books from the students. The board contends that the book uses provocative, racially and politically offensive words.

The purported settlement would have allowed Heerman to resign and retire.

"The more the board mulled it over and the more it became clear that it looks like thumbing your nose at the supervision of the people who hired you and you can get $10,000 and a pat on the head going out the door -- it really grated on them," said Jon Bailey, Perry Township school's attorney.

Bailey said the case is not about censorship, but is about following the rules.

Heermann's husband said his wife tried to engage the board and thought she had approval for the curriculum from as high up as the interim superintendent.

"The No. 1 priority seems to be lost during the rules and regulations and the egos involved, and really it's the students we need to be talking about," said Tom Heermann.

Heermann said she couldn't discuss what went on inside the hearing. Evidence will be compiled and the school board will vote on her future at an upcoming meeting.