A Jefferson County teacher who allegedly bullied and harassed her elementary-school students should be dismissed, a hearing officer ruled Thursday.
“Whatever a teacher’s mastery of the subject matter, the teacher must be able to interact appropriately with students, their parents and supervisory personnel,” wrote Nancy Connick, who presided over several days of testimony in May and early June.
Susan Romeo, who taught third- and fourth-grade gifted students at Coronado Elementary School from 2001 to 2002, treated some students “in a harsh and intimidating manner,” Connick wrote.
Romeo refused to accept responsibility for her behavior or to change, Connick found.
Cindy Stevenson, superintendent of the Jefferson County School District, this year recommended that Romeo be fired.
District officials accused Romeo of injecting sex into the classroom, inappropriately touching students and speaking to them in such an abusive manner that students feared going to school, cried and developed low self-esteem.
Romeo did not return a call for comment, but her attorney, Colorado Education Association lawyer Greg Lawler, said the district unfairly painted his client to be a “monster.”
He said the district is expected to make a decision on Connick’s recommendation next week. Romeo has the option of asking for a hearing before the state’s Court of Appeals or suing the district, Lawler said.
He said her style may have made some students feel uncomfortable but that his client was the target of a group of parents who disliked her.
In April, Romeo told The Post she was targeted by a group of parents because she is a lesbian.
The district has denied discriminating against Romeo.
Staff writer Karen Rouse can be reached at 303-820-1684 or krouse@denverpost.com.
