A Portland principal wanted to fire a well-liked Black teacher with a history of misconduct, but the school board said no. Will it set a precedent?

A man demonstrates dance moves to a classroom of students.

Damon Keller leads his students during a dance class in this file photo from 2014. Ockley Green Middle School's principal recommended firing him after a series of disciplinary infractions, but the school board rejected that recommendation on a 4-3 vote. (Photo by Beth Conyers / Portland Public Schools)Courtesy of Portland Public Schools/Flickr

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The Portland school board’s refusal to sign off on firing a popular Black teacher accused of lying to his principal is raising wider questions about institutional racism and limits on principals’ and the superintendent’s authority.

The board voted 4-3 to block Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero’s move to fire the teacher, who said he was out sick when he was in fact doing paid work elsewhere during school hours.

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