Class in session but no students in classrooms

The 85 Miramonte Elementary School teachers who were removed from their classrooms as part of the investigation into the school's sex-abuse scandal will be filing grievances against the Los Angeles Unified School District, union officials said.

The teachers were supposed to report to an empty, unopened high school Thursday morning, but instead, United Teachers Los Angeles president Warren Fletcher said, they were at union headquarters preparing their grievances. READ MORE

teacher's Aide sends love letters to 11 year old student at Miramonte Elementary

Reporting practices at L.A.'s Miramonte Elementary School are under more scrutiny after a mother of a former student said she complained that her son was receiving love letters from a teacher's aide. 

In June 2009, the mother of a then-fourth-grader found a drawing, signed "Sad Girl," that had fallen from its perch in her son's room.  Also dislodged was a cellphone number for a "Mrs. Luisjuan" from a corner of the frame. When she confronted her son, he showed her two letters. READ MORE 

Girl accusing second teacher recants her story

One of two girls who accused a Miramonte Elementary School teacher of fondling her has recanted her story, according to law enforcement sources.

Martin Bernard Springer, 49, was charged Tuesday with three counts of committing lewd acts. He was arrested Friday after two students at the school accused him of fondling them.

But the charges filed Tuesday only involve one  girl. The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the case was ongoing, said one of two two alleged victims had changed her story in the last few days. READ MORE 

Entire Staff to be replaced at Miramonte Elementary School

Los Angeles schools Supt. John Deasy told parents Monday evening that the district is replacing the entire staff of Miramonte Elementary School in the wake of the arrests last week of two teachers on lewd conduct charges.

The unprecedented move is intended to build confidence among the many families who have lost faith in their neighborhood elementary school. More than a quarter of students did not show up for classes Monday.

Officials stressed that no one else on the Miramonte staff is under suspicion of wrongdoing but that the chain of events has placed a cloud over the campus that can be lifted only with a drastic response. READ MORE