“Effective September 11, 2019, Mr. Persky’s employment with the District as the Junior Varsity Girls Tennis coach has ended,” Rachel Zlotziver, a spokesperson for the Fremont Union High School District, told HuffPost.
That was fast! Zlotziver added that the school district will recommence its search for a less controversial coach for its JV team, preferably one that doesn’t have a history of being recalled as a superior court judge after giving a rapist a gentle slap on the wrist. “Please know that we are deeply committed to maintaining an effective, safe, and positive environment for all students,” she said.
Persky infamously sentenced Turner to a short six months in prison after he was convicted of three counts of felony sexual assault, because, as Persky put it, “A prison sentence would have a severe impact on him. I think he will not be a danger to others.”
Turns out that not adequately sentencing Turner is having a severe impact on Persky. Once word about his new gig was made public Monday night, a petition for his removal garnered over 3,000 signatures.
Among the points made in the petition arguing was that employing Persky sends a message that the school does not treat Turner’s victim, Chanel Miller, “or any survivor with the respect they deserve.”
“Survivors have to deal with trauma and a host of other issues for their whole life and Persky should have no place being the mandated reporter to our young girls,” it said.
