Bypassed Hiring Process Led to Teacher's Rise and Later Downfall

Strategic Insights -

A former science teacher, Norman Riemer, was arrested last month and faces five counts of child molestation, highlighting the Palm Beach County School District's decision to bypass its normal hiring process for him in 1999. Riemer's wife, Barbara, who worked as the principal at Whispering Pines Elementary, requested a leave of absence on the same day her husband resigned, and the district soon filled the position. Riemer's arrest report described the incidents as a "science experiment" to satisfy the children's curiosity, which he claimed happened three times. The district's personnel records show that Riemer twice failed the Urban Teacher Perceiver screening, but was granted a waiver by the principal, Nora Rosensweig, who vouched for him and described him as doing well in the classroom.

Key Takeaways:

  • Norman Riemer, a former science teacher, was arrested and faces five counts of child molestation, highlighting the school district's decision to bypass its normal hiring process for him in 1999.
  • Riemer's wife, Barbara, requested a leave of absence on the same day her husband resigned, and the district soon filled the position.
  • A former principal, Nora Rosensweig, vouched for Riemer and described him as doing well in the classroom, despite his failure in the Urban Teacher Perceiver screening.
  • Riemer claimed to have performed a "science experiment" to satisfy the children's curiosity, which he described as happening three times.
  • The school district's personnel records show that Riemer twice failed the Urban Teacher Perceiver screening, but was granted a waiver by Rosensweig.
  • Riemer had a 21/2-decade career in education, moving from a substitute teacher to a full-time science teacher and then to a district position as an instructional specialist.
  • His arrest report described the incidents as a "science experiment" to satisfy the children's curiosity, which he claimed happened three times.

Statistics:

  • Riemer was arrested and faces five counts of child molestation.
  • The incidents allegedly occurred three times, as described in the arrest report.
  • Riemer's wife, Barbara, requested a leave of absence on the same day her husband resigned.
  • The school district filled the position of principal at Whispering Pines Elementary after Riemer's resignation.
  • Riemer passed the law enforcement background check, but had old traffic violations in his record.

Sources:

  • Palm Beach County School District records
  • Palm Beach Post
  • Local jail records