Super: Transgender teacher not reinstated

A supporter of Laura Jane Klug keeping her job, Kristin Johnson, created a site Thursday morning for those interested in donating funds to help Klug out at fundly.com/let-her-teach. Purple shirts that read Let her teach! We support Laura Jane Klug! are also being sold at booster.com/let-her-teach. less A supporter of Laura Jane Klug keeping her job, Kristin Johnson, created a site Thursday morning for those interested in donating funds to help Klug out at fundly.com/let-her-teach. Purple shirts that read Let ... more Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Super: Transgender teacher not reinstated 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

A week after news came that a transgender substitute would be reinstated at Lumberton ISD, Laura Jane Klug still hasn't received work.

Superintendent John Valastro denied Thursday that Klug was ever reinstated.Valastro said he's not sure when he will make his decision on her continuing with the district.

It is not an issue the school board has to vote on, he said.

"It's just my decision," he said.

Klug, who started substituting to pay her bills, has now been unemployed for the past few weeks and supporters have decided to help.A supporter of Klug keeping her job, Kristin Johnson, created a site Thursday morning for those interested in donating funds to help Klug out at fundly.com/let-her-teach. Purple shirts that read "Let her teach! We support Laura Jane Klug!" are also being sold at booster.com/let-her-teach and an online petition has been create at change.org.

Johnson is one of almost 950 people that joined a Facebook group called "Let Her Teach," which spurred shortly after Klug learned she'd been suspended earlier this month. In the few hours the site has been up, several donations have already been made.

Last week, 13 people spent 30 minutes trying to sway trustees, speaking both in support and opposition of Klug.

Klug, a former airplane pilot who has called Lumberton home since 1998, substituted in recent weeks both at the district's high school and intermediate schools.

She wanted a nice, quiet life, and never desired to be an activist, Klug said. The fact that she's a transgender woman was her business, Klug said.Klug said that she's not asking for donations.

"I'm not comfortable asking anyone for assistance," she said. "I certainly appreciate that though."

CSmith@BeaumontEnterprise.com

Twitter.com/SmithCassie