Link Anti-Aiken post gets teacher suspended Saturday, December 11, 2004 By Shawn G. Menzies smenzies@sjnewsco.com HARRISON TWP. -- A teacher who lashed out on the Internet about how "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken treated members of her high school's vocal group has been suspended by the Clearview Regional School District, the Times has learned. Sue Barry is serving a six-day suspension with pay, according to students, after district officials were informed of a post she made on the Web site www.gawker.com, where she used vulgar language and went on a diatribe against Clay Aiken and the hard time he and his crew allegedly gave to some of the 20 performers of the Clearview Regional Vocale Ensemble. The ensemble was asked by Aiken's people to sing along with the "American Idol" talent search runner-up star at his Dec. 2 holiday show at the Commerce Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington Township. "I cannot comment too much other than to say that in my opinion the e-mail posted was inappropriate," Superintendent Michael Toscano would only say Friday. One student said he and other students are not happy about the suspension of their teacher and they want her back now. "I feel the suspension is overly harsh," said Mik Matusek, 16. "If they wanted to send a message then suspend her for one or two days. We are the ones suffering. She is a talented teacher. And when she gets back, it will take a few days to get settled and then we go on break, so we won't have our teacher for two weeks. I just feel it is overly harsh for a small infraction. She is a very good teacher. What she did was unprofessional, but her motives are justified. She was sticking up for students and had a right to be outraged." According to the site, the teacher wrote that she is an English teacher in the district and that she "initially shied away from sending this e-mail to you because Clay Aiken threatened to make trouble for our district if we 'called the newspaper.' " Barry listed the issues the students allegedly had with Aiken and his crew: n The students were promised time with Aiken to snap some photographs and get autographs, but Aiken refused, allegedly threatening to remove students from the venue; n "Aiken was extremely terse with students, at times berating them for reasons that are still unclear," Barry posted; n Instead of a dinner for the students as promised at 5:30 p.m. - just two hours before the show and several hours after preparing on music they had just received two days before -- Aiken's people allegedly served "Happy Meals" from McDonald's; n Aiken's people allegedly told the school they would make a donation, said to be between $500 and $1,500, to the ensemble for performing, but has yet to make good on the promise; n Aiken allegedly verbally attacked what the post said was a "very distinguished educator" - a recent New Jersey State Teacher of the Year - and had the teacher removed from the theater. The teacher named state Teacher of the Year is English teacher Diane Cummins. Cummins would not offer comment on the matter and directed all questions to Clearview administration officials. Roger Widynowski, spokesman for RCA Records who handles publicity for Clay Aiken, did not respond to e-mail and telephone requests for comment over the past two days. Jack Hill, director of the Clearview Regional Vocale Ensemble, also did not return telephone calls for comment Thursday and Friday. Steve Walmer of the New Jersey Education Association, which is the bargaining union for teachers in the state, said the organization is aware of the suspension and will represent her at board meetings if there are any further proceedings. This is kind of funny that the dork's got such a big head now. Of course if this is all true.
Some friends of mine met him at a party when he was in town for the Superbowl. They said he was a very full of himself. What a dipsht.
"Sue Barry is serving a six-day suspension with pay" A free vacation and people are upset? I need to get a governemnt job (or a pro athlete) where suspensions with pay are common.
I think that's their way of saying thanks for sticking up for the kids and our school, but we have to set an example for ripping a "star" on the internet. I don't think that she would have been in any trouble had she not used the F-word for all of the world to read as a representative of her school and town. I have a feeling though that she'll come back as a hero. I hope that more press gets out about this. It would be nice for Clay to find out how thin the ice is for his "stardom".
I just don't understand the appeal of Clay Aiken. I saw him on Leno, and he sat there talking about the way he organizes his refrigerator. He's so skinny and effeminate. And his accent, my god. How could any girl, prepubescent or otherwise, find him attractive? Now I find out he's a complete diva. I couldn't hate the guy more.
I'm not surpised by this. Happy Meals... Hilarious. I'll bet Clay was eating a Big Mac. Oh wait... Maybe a salad.
I really don't like Clay for some reason. It's always hilarious how Conan O'Brien rips into him and Ruben though. I remember my favorite Clay joke Conan had was when he said that he was gonna stop calling Clay gay and give him the credit he deserves, so he gave Clay the Girls Adore You Award....that was ingenius!
Is it the same gay tough guy that threatened Kramer in the "Soup Nazi" episode, which is one of my favorites? No soup for you!!!
I think he is more the type that get's his salad tossed. Good point and very appropriate to the subject.
Yes. There were 2 of them - one was named Cedric (I think he had the glasses), but I can't remember the name of the other one. "Excuse me, are you talking to me? I said are you talking to me?" Great stuff...
