Former Auburn High School Teachers File For Investigation

Rockford, Illinois- Six released Auburn High School teachers who say they were discriminated against are having their case investigated. "We just want our jobs back," says Brett Koplin, "I just want to be able to teach." Six, white, male teachers were told not to return to Auburn High School in the fall. "We met with the federal investigator today who applies federal standards who says we do have a case," says another teacher, Matt Theisen. Koplin, Theisen and Mark Sterling filed a discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission today in Chicago. "He accepted our charges and is sending a letter to the Rockford School District giving them a chance to respond," says Sterling. The teachers say they were let go by Principal Janice Hawkins, because they are white men and not due to their performance. "Should they determine that our allegations are true, the Department of Justice will be making a federal lawsuit against them in Federal Court," says Sterling. Superintendent of Rockford Schools, Dr. Dennis Thompson, says he has not heard from the EEOC yet. "We`ve dealt with them before; we`ll deal with them again. Other than that, I don`t make any comments about the teachers." The teachers say they just want their jobs back. "We`re just looking for justice. We want somebody to standup and do the right thing," says Theisen. WTVO tried repeatedly to get a comment from Janice Hawkins, but was unable to get in touch with her. She has been placed on temporary administrative leave for reasons not yet released.