The Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday night to reinstate Greenwich High School Band Director John Yoon, who was suspended on April 29 for allegedly intimidating and bullying two students.
The decision contravenes the recommendation of an independent arbitrator in the case, M. Jackson Webber, who last week advised the school board to uphold Superintendent of Schools William McKersie’s decision last summer to fire Yoon for violating a “last chance agreement” stemming from prior incidents.
The school board effectively decided that Yoon’s punishment—paid leave—is sufficient. Yoon, who has been teaching at Greenwich High for 23 years and is tenured, is now free to return to teaching at the school.
His teaching style has been described as driven and demanding by many, and overly demanding—to the point of humiliation—by a few. In the wake of his suspension, however, students and GHS alumni created a Facebook page called “Bring Back Mr. John Yoon 2015.”
Also, a change.org petition—called “Retract Mr. John Yoon’s Administrative Leave”—circulated. The text read in part: “…he is a man who instills the importance of integrity and accountability, serving as the role model that we respect and the mentor we need.”
Many parents of band students also joined in supporting Yoon.
But Webber, in his 122-page report, wrote, “To Mr. Yoon the music production was important. A lesser value was given to the student.”
Look for more on the Yoon story at greenwichsentinel.com in the coming days.
