By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – Getting fired from the classroom does not mean losing a paycheck.
A review by the Associated Press found that a fired Alabama teacher charged with raping a student is still receiving paychecks - collecting nearly $100,000 and getting two raises - even though he hasn't been in the classroom in two years.
Alvin Penez Taylor awaits an August 20th trial in Talladega County. He is the beneficiary of a legal twist in a 2004 Alabama law that was supposed to reform the state's teacher dismissal process.
The law, pushed by the state teachers' union with the backing of Governor Bob Riley, has allowed at least two other education system personnel to continue to collect paychecks for 11 months and longer after being fired.
One was Terry Wright, a former agricultural science instructor in Lauderdale County. He was accused of sexually harassing and inappropriately touching a student.
Another was Laura Wilson, an ex-cheerleading coach in Madison County, who cited for using her high school's gym to run a gymnastics business.
National school board and teachers' union officials say Alabama's 2004 law is similar to that of most states.
Alabama school administrators have called for another look at the law.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)