Teachers' Union Criticizes News

The president of the Ann Arbor Education Associátion (AAEA) last night criticized The News for conducting a "court by public pressure' against a Pioneer High School class principal. He was referring to a News article on Feb. 26 reporting a black student demand that Robert L. Sloan be fired for reasons based on racial discrimination. AAEA President David R Harrell said his group "clearly supports a thorough investigation of any charge of racial discrimination against any faculty member, with proper action following that investigation. We will not stand for a court by public pressure. Due process is guaranteed in any investigation and we applaud the (Pioneer) administra tion for their responsible investigation procedure. "We regret the students' decisión to make this a public issue, believing that the grievance procedure adopted lastl year provides the appropriate channel for these charges " Pioneer High School Principal I Theodore R. Rokicki said hel never received the demand re-l garding Sloan in writing, thoughl he was apprised of it by phone. Rokicki said his investigation of the charges against Sloan is nearly completed. Meanwhile, a meeting to review the steps being taken on the demands made by the black students will be held tomorrow' afternoon at the office of School II Supt. W. Scott Westerman Jr. The meeting was requested byl five representative vs of the black students. Meeting with the five students will be Westerman, Ann Arbor Board of Education President! Harold J. Lockett, Personnel Di-i rector Stanley Zubel, Pioneer! High Principal Rokicki and Ron-I ald R. Edmonds, human rela-l ions director, for the p u b 1 i cl chools. I