From: Smith, Alan (ATG)
Sent: Friday, September 08, 2006 4:13 PM
To: fire@thefire.org
Cc: Floten, Jean
Subject: Peter Ratener
Robert L. Shipley
Vice President of Operations
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education
601 Walnut St., Suite 510
Philadelphia, PA 19106
RE: Peter Ratener / Bellevue Community College
Dear Mr. Shipley:
I am an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Washington representing Bellevue Community College. Your letter of August 28, 2006, to President Jean Floten regarding Professor Peter Ratener has been forwarded to me for review and a response.
The College appreciates your organization’s interest in this matter, but on my advice will decline for the time being to comment further. Please be advised, however, that no final disciplinary action has been taken. Professor Ratener has exercised his rights under the grievance procedures of the faculty contract, and the parties (the College, Professor Ratener, and the faculty union) have mutually agreed to stay those proceedings for the purpose of engaging in mediation.
It would be not be appropriate for me to say anything further at this time given the interest of the parties in exploring a mutually acceptable resolution of this matter.
ALAN SMITH
Assistant Attorney General
Education Division
900 Fourth Avenue #2000
Seattle, WA 98164-1012
206-389-2099 / FAX 389-2544
alans@atg.wa.gov