August 28, 2015
From the earliest days of primary school on, children are told by parents and teachers that a well-balanced breakfast is essential to a healthy diet and maintaining sufficient energy to perform at a high level throughout the day.
For kids, failing to heed this advice results in missing the bus. For a teacher at New Jersey's Roosevelt Elementary School in River Edge, a combined 111 tardy days over a two-year period, attributed to his breakfast routine, nearly cost him a $90,000 a year job.
Arnold Anderson, who remains suspended without pay until January 1, 2016, was saved by an arbitrator who ruled on August 19 that the teacher was entitled to progressive discipline, the Associated Press reports.
"I have a bad habit of eating breakfast in the morning and I lost track of time," said Anderson, who showed up 1 to 2 minutes late 46 times during the most recent school year through March 20 and 65 in the previous school year, according to the arbitrator. Anderson's claim that his lateness never affected the quality of his teaching, however, drew criticism from the arbitrator.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, in the midst of a bid for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination, took some time out of his busy schedule to address the situation. Embroiled in a battle with the New Jersey teacher's union, Christie tweeted Friday: "Think I'm too tough on the teachers union? This is what we're dealing with in NJ."
Anderson said he was "very upset" about the suspension, but vowed to show up bright and early once he is welcomed back.
Pop Tarts or Belvita may be a good New Years resolution.
