any one have any experiences with "Morality clauses"

I teach in public school but in our contracts there is a morality clause that's had on occasion been used to oust teachers. I am involved in a situation where I started to date a parent as the other woman and a few of my Co workers are beginning to suspect. I am wondering if I get dismissed through the use of a morality clause would I be able to appeal for assistance from the union. I understand that this type of arrangement would be considered "immoral " to some but who really should be allowed to decide what is moral and what is not. I do not teach at a religious institution and noting I am doing is unlawful. Would I have a leg to stand on?

 

This had better not be that crazy engineer dad.

Honestly, I don't think you would have a leg to stand on. A morality clause would generally prevent you from situations that have the potential to affect a student's life.

 

Is it a current parent? Because if so, morality clause or not, you're liable to find yourself in major hot water. If it's a current parent, you need to break things off nicely but immediately for as long as you are the child's teacher.

 

Actually, there are some states where adultery is illegal. Not that anyone prosecutes these laws anymore, but the district could use that against you in the morality clause.

Also, you may want to protect yourself from the inevitable gossip (or worse) that will be stirred up when the wife finds out.

 

I'm going to sound like I'm judging, and maybe I am. Morality clause or not, why would you date a married parent? You cannot be in a position of trust--which you are as a teacher--and be the "other woman". The only way, in my opinion, you can get out of this with a shred of respect is to end things. Now. If you aren't willing to do that, leaving the school voluntarily would be a good idea. As well, be prepared for a lot of unpleasantness with students as soon as the news gets out (and it will).

 

I live in a non union state, so the situation is slightly different, but when I was in high school one of my teachers was having an affair with a married parent. It came out when students saw them together and let's just say things did not go well for the teacher. This was a someone who had been teaching for close to 20 years and was well respected in the school. He was let go even without a morality clause in our contracts (I now teach in the same district).

Unless the morality clause in your contract was extremely lenient (and I can't imagine it would be, otherwise what would be the point of having it in the first place) I don't see how the situation would end well for you. I would break the relationship off before it gets out, or resign if you don't want to end the relationship. Even if you didn't lose your job over it, if your coworkers know it could have a negative impact on you in the future if you ever tried to get a job at another school. People talk, and things like this tend to spread quickly.

 

I bet it is. If that's the case, this is my response to the OPs entire story:

 

He's not actually crazy, I just didn't really understand him when I first met him. He's actually a really cool guy and the wife is pretty cool herself. And to answer your question it is him.
I do not see how this could be negative for the child seeing as how he's been so much better behaved since this relationship began. Also about the wife, she knows and accepts that it is part of the culture she married into. She told me that as long as I recognize that she is the wife and I am just the second girlfriend ever thing will be fine between us. This is why I don't think it would be fair to use a morality clause since this type of relationship is acceptable in that culture.

 

Except you also have school culture to deal with. Most schools don't want to deal with the headache if one or both parties gets upset with the other.

I'm also calling eye-rolling-whatevs on this whole saga.

 

But...but...but...never mind

 

As far as any ongoing relationship with this man is concerned, it's your call. But based on the responses you've gotten so far, I don't think you should be surprised if no one else sees it the way you, et al., do, least of all your coworkers and administrators.

This whole thing is verging dangerously close to soap opera territory...

 

Unbelievable....do you really have no self respect?

 

Seriously. There's a name given to those who excuse the verbal abuse (and other abuse) of romantic partners.

 

If you want to screw around with a married person period, don't come crying to us when you get busted.

Get a clue and get a single person!

 

Yeah I'm going to go ahead and say that this whole thing is a long drawn-out troll attempt.

 

So, you've gone from thinking he's the scum of the earth to being "the girlfriend with wife's approval" in the matter of less than a couple of months? You are digging yourself a very, very deep hole. Get out. Now.

Just reread--you're the second girlfriend?

 

Good luck, @ladybugteacher. That is all I will say on the matter.

 

It's just like my dad's polygamous cousins without the legal battles for recognition.

 

At this point, I'm agreeing that this whole saga smells.