Parents fight sex offender's return to school
A Nova Scotia community is in an uproar because an elementary school teacher and convicted sex offender could soon be back in the classroom.
Peter Speight was fired from his job at New Germany Elementary School in 2008 after pleading guilty to three indecent acts. He was given a conditional discharge, which means he has no criminal record.
The school board's decision to fire him was overturned by an arbitrator, and that decision was upheld by a Supreme Court justice.
Now Speight wants his job back. He's fighting the Department of Education to get his teaching certificate back.
But parents are outraged that a man who drove around looking for pretty women and then masturbated in front of them could be returning to school.
"I cannot have my child in that class. I cannot risk that with my child," said Diane Veinot.
Parents are facing Speight at a series of restorative justice meetings. The first one was Monday nigh in the school's gym.
Jane Morrell heard Speight's apology.
"He repeated the same times the same statement," she said. "[It] became less and less sincere and honest in my mind."
Veinot's son Cody was taught by Speight. Her younger son Colin would be one of Speight's students if he is reinstated.
"I have a nine-year-old son. I don't want to talk to him about a sexual offender being a teacher," Veinot said, adding she would rather move her son to another school than have that conversation.
Cathy Moore, councillor for District 7, worries that many parents will follow Veinot.
"The parents have spoken. They don't want this teacher in this school. I support them on that," Moore said.
Some people are upset that they aren't allowed inside the sessions, which are restorative justice, not public meetings.
"It's disgusting because as grandparents we have interest in our grandchildren and interest in the health of our grandchildren mentally, socially, every which way. We should all be allowed in there," said Barbara Veinot, whose two grandchildren attend the school.
An arbitrator ruled that Speight should regain his teaching certificate. The Department of Education filed a judicial review of that decision.
The restorative justice sessions with the community are required before Speight could be returned to the classroom.
If Speight wins his fight, he would get his teaching certificate back and reclaim his job, and receive about $150,000 in back pay for the last 2.5 years.
