*Please note: John is not in danger of being terminated*



We, the concerned public, are writing in response to notification that disciplinary action has been taken against Mr. John Dryden, educator at Batavia High School. We urge the Board to ensure that his employment and professional impact with Batavia Public Schools continues.

Recently, Mr. Dryden was disciplined by Batavia High School’s administration for unprofessional conduct and we believe this to be an unjustified action. It is Mr. Dryden’s task as an educator to impart his students with the knowledge and ability to make informed choices, even if these lead to conscientious objection. For the administration of Batavia High School to pursue

disciplinary action against a dedicated educator, whose instruction is solely student centered is, in our opinion, an extreme lapse of professional competence.

John Dryden is a uncharacteristically engaging educator who sees it his duty to make his students aware of their rights as citizens. He encourages critical thinking, problem solving strategies, and educational stewardship from all of his students. His learning objectives go beyond mandated standards and bring student awareness to real-world concerns. If it is Batava Schools’ mission to be “Always Learning, Always Growing”, then that mission is embodied by the rigor and passion of Mr. John Dryden.

We respectfully request that the Board does not consent to the disciplinary action taken against Mr. John Dryden.