Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Former Teacher Of The Year Accused Of Inappropriately Touching Children
An internationally-renowned former Teacher of the Year has been fired by LAUSD after allegations he inappropriately touched minors before and during his teaching career.
The Los Angeles Board of Education voted unanimously on Tuesday to fire Hobart Avenue Elementary School teacher Rafe Esquith. The fifth grade teacher had been on leave since April after an allegation from another teacher that he made an inappropriate joke about nudity in front of his students. The joke that launched the investigation, according to court documents, was a comment by Esquith that his students would have to perform nude, like a character in Mark Twain's The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn, if they couldn't raise enough money for an annual Shakespeare play.
The L.A. Times reports that a letter received by Esquith's attorney in August says other allegations revealed in the investigation include accusations that he inappropriately touched children before and during his teaching career and "ethical and district policy violations" in his handling of his nonprofit, the Hobart Shakespeareans. "Multiple inappropriate photographs and videos of a sexual nature" were also uncovered. Esquith's attorneys have accused LAUSD of running a smear campaign against the teacher and have filed a lawsuit for his reinstatement.
The suspension of Esquith prompted a backlash among fellow teachers and parents. The former Disney Teacher of the Year has written three best-selling books and gained international acclaim.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist