Students Rally at School Committee Meeting to Reinstate Teacher

The demonstrations of support for Driscoll Middle School teacher Larry Chen started outside and carried into the Brookline School Committee meeting room.

Chen is under threat of termination for allegedly using the less polite form of "bull stuff," but interim superintendent Dr. Joseph Connelly says it's more than that.

"Please realize this is not entirely the case. There are a number of allegations that are being investigated," Connelly said.

As ominous as that sounds, parent Geary Sekhar, father of a Driscoll student, seemed to put to rest the worst speculation saying he's seen the accusations.

"Mr. Chen has not been accused of any conduct that is criminal, any conduct that is perverted, any conduct is indecent," Sekhar said.

Student after student told the school committee what a fine teacher Larry Chen is, saying he challenges and inspires them. One student, Din Klein, made clear it isn't all about academics.

"I am gender queer and gay and when I decided to start telling people I was really nervous and when I came into Mr. Chen's class and he started talking to me for the first time I just knew that I could definitely trust him with who I am without being ridiculed and made fun of," Klein explained.

The school has not released the other accusations against Chen. He has a meeting with the superintendent Wednesday. 

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