By Ben Velderman
EAGnews.org

NEW YORK – “Baby, when you turn 18 years old, you could come to my home and we can have a real party.”

Sounds like dialogue from some dopey Hollywood movie, right?

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Actually, the above quote was allegedly delivered by a New York City teacher to a 17-year-old female student.

New York school officials tried to fire the teacher, but a hearing officer determined that a $1,500 fine was punishment enough, reports Metro.us.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg cited that disgusting case and several others during yesterday’s announcement that he’s pushing for a new law that “would make it easier to fire instructors guilty of sexual misconduct,” reports the New York Post.

Under the current process, a state arbitrator has the final say whether or not “perv educators” are allowed to stay on the job, the Post reports. Bloomberg argues that too often arbitrators let the offending teachers off with only a slap on the wrist, a practice he finds “totally unacceptable.”

Instead, the mayor is proposing that such cases be decided by the schools chancellor – the head of New York City’s school system.

The local teachers union and their political allies don’t seem keen on the idea, leaving Bloomberg’s initiative to face “an uphill climb,” the Post reports.

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Unfortunately, the problem of “perv educators” isn’t exclusive to New York City.

Earlier this year, the nation was rocked by the horrific story of two Los Angeles elementary teachers who sexually abused numerous students.

In response to that revelation, California State Sen. Alex Padilla introduced legislation “that would make it easier to remove teachers from the classroom when they are accused of sexual abuse or violence against students,” reports the L.A. Times.

Padilla’s measure, which passed the state Senate yesterday by a vote of 33-4, would get accused teachers out of the classroom quicker, and would give “the local school board, rather than a panel that includes a teacher, final say on dismissal in cases involving violence, drugs and sexual abuse against students,” the Times reports.

Padilla’s bill now goes to the State Assembly for consideration.

It’s not surprising that the teacher unions oppose both Padilla’s and Bloomberg’s legislative proposals. But what’s encouraging is that these student-centered laws are being proposed by lawmakers of all political stripes. (Padilla is a Democrat and Bloomberg is an Independent.)

Our political leaders don’t agree on very much these days. Thankfully, protecting students from dangerous teachers seems to be simple common sense which transcends politics.