UTICA — The North Fork board of education accepted the resignation of English teacher Brian Gastin Monday evening, after hearing pleas from students and community members who believe he was unfairly asked to leave.
Three high school freshman, a high school substitute teacher and a parent of a former student spoke in Gastin’s defense.
Freshman Lane Hardesty was the first to address the board. He praised Gastin as a person who was always willing to listen, gave good advice and truly cared about his students.
“Mr. Gastin is an extraordinary man, a wonderful teacher, a great support system and a father figure to most of us,” said freshman Lydia Harding as she read an open letter to the board.
“While we the student body will respect your decision, whatever it may be, we believe letting Mr. Gastin’s contract expire would be a great injustice to this community and a very big mistake.”
“I’ve been down to the point where I have tried to kill myself and Gastin is the only one who has ever been able to change that,” the student said. “Without Gastin, it scares me that other students aren’t going to have that opportunity.”
Vanessa Frazee said Gastin also helped her son, who has since graduated, cope with depression and suicidal thoughts. She also indirectly accused the board of trying to save money by hiring younger teachers.
“You need to really ask yourselves as representing this community what’s more important. Those kids in your hallways or a few dollars in (your) budget,” she said.
Neil Snelling, who has spent 16 years as a substitute teacher, alleged that Gastin was asked to step down because of his age.
Snelling told the board that Gastin called him on April 9, claiming high school principal Mark Bowman had asked him to resign.
“He said the only reason that was given to him for asking for his resignation is that they were looking for a younger teacher in his position in the English department,” he said.
Bowman declined to comment on specific personnel matters, but said that he would never allow age to become a factor in the decision to hire or fire an employee.
Superintendent Scott Hartley said that after an evaluation period, the district will allow teachers to resign rather than have their contracts non-renewed. He declined to say whether there were concerns about the quality of Gastin’s teaching, but said there had been no complaints regarding his age.
Gastin has been a teacher at Utica High School for five years. He has been a teacher for more than 30 years and received 11 “Teacher of the Year” awards. He spent 36 years as a football coach, leading teams at Lucas, Danville, Highland, Mount Vernon and Utica. He did not attend the meeting or respond to requests for comment.
More than 20 students attended Monday’s meeting. An online petition started by Hardesty, titled ‘Help Mr. Gastin Keep His Job!’, garnered more than 2,100 signatures in five days.
