Holy water allegedly sprinkled on athiest teacher

Two teachers accused of sprinkling holy water onto an avowed atheist colleague have been removed from the classroom, and may be fired. The teacher who was allegedly sprinkled filed a complaint with the Broward County school district, which is investigating the incident as an act of bullying. At the centre of the investigation are Blanche Ely High School reading teachers Leslie Rainer and Djuna Robinson, who profess that they are Christians. They are accused of sprinkling holy water onto fellow teacher Schandra Tompkinsel Rodriguez.

On March 11, Rodriguez was in her classroom discussing her disbelief in God and the Bible with students when the alleged incident took place. Rainer and Robinson deny the allegations. Robinson’s lawyer, Johnny L. McCray Jr., said he has statements from several students who witnessed the incident and who confirm their version of events. “This letter is to inform you that your administrative reassignment location is being changed,” wrote David Golt, executive director of the Broward School District’s Professional Standards & Special Investigative Unit (SIU), in memorandums issued to Rainer and Robinson on April 23. “You are not to return to Blanche Ely High School unless so directed by me.”



Violation of state anti-bullying law allows for criminal penalties, but Golt said the district is not conducting a criminal investigation. Nevertheless, Rainer has been stripped of her post, demoted as director of the school’s reading department. Both Rainer and Robinson are the subjects of hallway gossip after they were escorted out of their classrooms in April, in front of students, and were ordered not to return to school grounds.

But McCray said the sprinkling of holy water never happened. “There was never anything sprayed or sprinkled on anyone or anything, absolutely nothing,” McCray explained. “This is a total fabrication being made against good teachers.” Holy water is sterile water or oil that Christians use in prayer rituals. After the water is sanctified by a priest, preacher or congregational leader, it is deemed to have been blessed with divine powers.