Teacher who allegedly called student 'Jew boy' to keep her job, for now

“If I went to work and said any of the things Ms. Leko is accused of saying, I'd expect to be fired immediately,” she said. “To know that she not only harbors those thoughts, but says them to the very students she's supposed to be educating, is unconscionable. I'm relieved that my kids got through LCHS without having her as a teacher, and wish that others didn't either. Our students deserve to be taught by people who want the best for them, not those who put them down.”

The district’s investigation, written by Assistant Supt. of Human Resources Patricia Hager, found Leko made “inappropriate comments containing gender and ethnic bias during exchanges of banter with students in an attempt to develop a rapport with students during class time.”

The training Leko must undergo will be facilitated and funded by La Cañada Unified, and will include professional recommendations on how to repair strained relationships with community members.

The school board will consider additional disciplinary action, but any decision will remain a “confidential personnel matter between the district and employee,” Hager said.

The district investigation also found that Leko was “inconsistent in her enforcement of the school’s absence/make up policy” and that her immediate supervisor will work with her to ensure the policy is applied consistently in the future, according to the memorandum.