Rally Planned To Call For Jersey City Teacher's Dismissal

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A rally is planned for Monday at the Board of Education building to call for the immediate dismissal of a teacher.

Residents are calling for Howard Zlotkin to be dismissed, a science teacher at Dickinson High School, who went on a vulgar and racist rant during a Zoom class and singled out Black students.

During Zlotkin's rant he is heard saying "If you think I'm privileged then f--- you, because my daughter thinks I'm privileged and I don't speak to her." Soon after, Zlotkin gave students the middle finger.

The rally is planned for 1 p.m. on Monday at the Board of Education building at 346 Claremont Avenue.

Zlotkin, who has been a teacher at Dickinson for 20 years, has been suspended from teaching with pay and Jersey City Public Schools Superintendent Franklin Walker said the district is investigating the incident. In the meantime, Zlotkin has not made any statements and is not allowed on or near school property. His daughter issued an apology letter to his students.

Franklin issued a letter to parents on Wednesday acknowledging the planned rally and explaining the process of dismissal for a tenured teacher.

The letter reads in part:

"The teacher in question is entitled to due process rights, as well as so-called “tenure rights” under New Jersey law. In short, no tenured teaching staff member may be disciplined without due process and without the procedures of New Jersey’s tenure laws being followed."

"I hope that this letter helps you understand how the JCPS is legally required to handle this matter. As I continue to assure our Board of Education and the community, the students and staff of the JCPS have so much to be proud of. Sadly, incidents such as the one that occurred at DHS last week cast an unfortunate cloud over our accomplishments because they become the focus of the media’s attention."