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“In towns and cities... there is no more important institution than the local paper.”
Warren Buffett
Note: Video at end of article.
By Brian Hews
Central Basin Water District President James Roybal in Commerce after leaving LAUSD Teacher Jail. Randy Economy Photo
Parents and children protested Central Basin Director James Roybal at the Education Service Center East better known as “Teacher Jail” this past week.
Four months ago, a source who was in teacher jail spotted Roybal wearing his Central Basin shirt and told HMG-CN that Roybal was in jail.
HMG-CN exclusively published the article Nov. 14, 2013 based on that source.
A public records request by HMG-CN in Dec. 2013 confirmed that Roybal was in jail.
The letter sent to HMG-CN caused an outcry by the United Teachers Union who want to know why teachers are in jail. Currently LAUSD does not inform the UTLA what teachers are charged with while in jail.
Another public records request by HMG-CN found Roybal violating LAUSD policy by going to Central Basin meetings after attending teacher jail.
Roybal earned in excess of $30,000 while in teacher jail. After that article was published, HMG-CN wrote a letter to the Office of Inspector General asking the OIG to investigate Roybal.
The OIG initiated an investigation Jan. 24, 2014, once the group was told about the investigation, they planned and executed the protest.
See video below.