Since the changing of the guards when Evert retired and Schutte took over the whole school district has been centered on sexual innuendos/sexual misconduct. Leave it alone, so one word or a phrase was said that someone took wrong, big deal. Doesn't the school district have more important things to focus on? Boy, I know that would have ruined my whole education! (sarcasm).

New headline: "Waiter wields wiener worrying whiner".

I'm sorry. Victim of WHAT, justonepost? You got some data the Gazette can't get its hands on? If so, cough it up. If not, I'll show you six teachers who have damaged students through CLEAR violations of ethics, but the building leadership circled the wagons and refused to act. That's the culture at your great "traditional" schools. Give me the TAGOS culture any day. OMG, really? An administrator who speaks the language of young people in a way that commands their respect and (obvious, from these posts) love? Tight-a-- administration can't have that.

AnTHeR BrIcK IN tHe WaLL - lives on here - good post.

I don't think we should be so quick to let the "victim" off the hook. Maybe the "victim" had an ulterior motive? Just remember, no one is perfect.

Justonepost- BRAVO! Now watch the parents who don't work with Lindau tear your comments apart. Stay strong.

I do know the accuser and I know Al. Some of you are making several WRONG assumptions about this entire situation.
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Talk about blaming the victim...she did NOTHING wrong Al screwed up. After an investigation that started in May I tend to side with the district regarding this. This was not some quick move or an easy decision but our expectations of our teachers and certainly a "Dean of Students" should be at least this high.
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Al has always put on a great show. However, I do believe the student who said Al is a kid...got is exactly right. Al behaves like a little kid and in the adult world...eventually that will bite you right in the ............................
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To the victim...you did nothing wrong, thank you for standing up for those that don't have your courage. We have your back.

jv92 is right!! It's well worth to take the time to contact the school board, the Superintendent, Principals....ALL of them!! Call them, write them, email them, go see them. They should hear from the parents and students, as well as co-workers and anyone that knows this man. Al is a one-of-a-kind teacher who truly cared about those kids. If he's going to be accused of something that costs him his job and disrupt his entire life, then the accuser should be named in the newspaper as well.

Just to echo someone else's comment, if y'all feel so strongly about this teacher and his reassignment, you need to get in touch with the powers that be and voice your opinions. Posting your comments here is good and all, but it won't mean a darn thing in the long run.

All I know is what I've read in the above article, as well as surfing through most of the comments. I'd have to believe there's more to the story for them to take ANY kind of action against this teacher. I'm not saying he did anything wrong at all, just wondering what all this complainant said happened. I know if I were a supervisor or manager in some capacity and someone complained to me that this other person used the word "weiner" and they were offended by it, I'd tell them to grow up.

and wieners......

Callit- sticks and stones my friend, sticks and stones.

Al. We're going to get you back.

I hope Al reads the comments here... they are a testimony to his hard work, dedication and genuine care for 'his' students.

CAUTION TEACHERS, do not call little Jack Johnson, Jack Johnson, because Johnson is an offensive term! How stupid, you force Chineese on students but don't let anyone say wiener? That a real wiener in my book.

I would like to send out my apology to all TAGOS staff. I know you all are grateful for Al and everything he has done. I'm sorry that I implied accusations towards his staff to betray him over something so petty.
Just remember you can't always believe everything that's wrote in the "Janesville Gazette" GOOD LUCK to everyone at TAGOS for the upcoming school year!

TJ-your gums do a lot of flapping but you really haven't got a clue. Stick to stories you may know enough about to comment intelligently, if possible.

Could someone draw a crown or a halo on this guy's photo? :P

I wish some people would get over themselves. Seriously, weiner? I must have heard at least one offensive work a day and no one even batted an eye. The words I am referring to are much worse than that. If it makes you uncomfortable, tell the person. Why embarrass them 1000x more than it did you. It sounds like the person doing the accussing should have lost their position as well for being immature and thinking that way.

That's Pink Floyd:)
Good morning, Worm your honor.
The crown will plainly show
The prisoner who now stands before you
Was caught red-handed showing feelings,
Showing feelings of an almost human nature.
This will not do.
Call the schoolmaster!

dini79-Lyrics from "The Trial" are appropriate for this situation.

Oh, I just figured out that IMO means "In My Opinion". LOL.........just updating all the other people not understanding this "text talk."

In all honesty, I think the accuser should be the one reassigned. Al started this,this is,(as missloriss said) his family, he is loved there. If someone comes into my home, and they don't like the way I run it, they know they can walk right out the door they walked into.

"While the Studer process will fan out over all the district, it’s not likely that every school will immediately adopt it the way TAGOS has."

"TAGOS dean of students, Al Lindau, was so inspired when he heard Studer speak that he rushed to incorporate the ideas into the new charter school."

"Another idea Lindau adopted was to visit with staff and students on a regular basis to find out:"

-This is from 2008! Doesn't look like the Studer Principles were truly implemented at TAGOS. Or at least JSD doesn't think so.

NO other educational staff has EVER tried so hard for his students "Al Lindau removed from TAGOS".... HELLO he made this school, he planned this school it shouldn't even continue without him. This is probably one of the most outrageous articles I have ever read. Al Lindau gave me a chance I graduated because he saw my potential when NO ONE from a traditional school would. This Man is being humiliated in front of Rock County. This is pathetic he is an outstanding citizen and leader. Honestly I can't believe Karen Schulte would let a petty complaint like that go this far. I'm very disappointed in the JSD right now!!!
Class of 2008 Baby!! (First graduating class of TAGOS)
All Gratitude and Thanks goes to the staff that first started out at TAGOS and My BIGGEST THANKS to Al Lindau for giving me a chance.... For giving all of your students a chance. If you do read this AL I'm here for you, and I'm sorry this had to happen.
Apparently next time you'll have to a little more of personality test on your employees before hiring them since you gave each of them a chance too.
If you all can't tell I'm very distraught over this I can't imagine how he feels right now.
=(

I have 2 students who attend TAGOS, my son is part of the original starting class, my daughter is about to start her second year with TAGOS. While my son still lacks motivation, my daughter has really started to come out of her shell & blossom. She is very upset over Al being removed! She wore her hair back for the first time last year, and Al told her it was nice to see her beautiful face, that really made her happy. He loves his students, he does demand respect, and he has a great sense of humor. I honstly CAN see how some of his comments could be "taken wrong", but most members of our "TAGOS Family" just accept that as Al's personality & we love him for that. He greets us with hugs, which I'm sure could ALSO be turned into some sexual harrassment bologna(tee hee oscar mayer makes bologna AND weiners). Maybe, if anything, he should be reprimanded on his sense of humor while at school. He's just being himself, and he's comfortable with our "TAGOS Family".

How ridiculous. There MAY be more to the story, but the history at JSD is also important (see next paragraph). Thank God for Karen Schulte who doesn't want to take a chance, but shame on the co-worker who obviously didn't bother to follow what all teachers are told EVERY YEAR about how to handle someone whose interpersonal skills are different from their own. By this I mean, that there are people who are MUCH more easily offended than others. Some people can handle jokes and innuendo, others are able to flat out ask the speaker if s/he is hitting on them, and many can just say "I am uncomfortable with the way you talk - what are you getting at?" or "Can you tone it down around me?" I know Al - to me, it seems the accuser does not know him well, is jealous of him, or dimply doesn't like him. Why not move HER???? If you have not worked with troubled students from a background different than yours, you have no ground to stand on in making accusations. It takes a special person to do what he does as a profession. When I worked with Al, I did not always like his approach or the way he tended to act like a 'know-it-all' with female colleagues, but that was just the way he was. Maybe we need to separate the teaching part from the interpersonal part a bit more, maybe some other intervention could be done so these two could work together more comfortably and more as a team. We can ALL learn to be better people, and Al has never shied away from that . . . when given a chance.

As to JSD history - for YEARS many of us put up with the continuous sexual harassment by 'S' at CHS who was buddy-buddy with Evert. I was even warned by other female teachers about him when I STARTED teaching there! I told him NOT to talk like that it or touch me -that it made me uncomfortable and I saw it as a form of harassment - this is what ALL teachers are TRAINED to do in the Sexual Harassment video we see yearly. It is the first step in a sexual harassment case. After the third time, I told him that I didn't care if he had friends in high places, I would report him to HR if he continued. It stopped (with me anyways). Finally, formal accusations were brought against this man, including a legal investigation, which was settled when he 'retired' - thank you (NOT) Mr. Evert.

AL - HANG IN THERE!!

What happened to the other copy of the article and the postings? Oh yes, the article wasn't complete. In this day of computer tech, couldn't the Gazette staff just switch the articles or attach the other posts to this one? Or was it taken down due to our comments? Hhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmm

I feel everyone should take a step back and really look at things. In other local school districts we have teachers getting arrested for drug possession. And everyone stepped up to defend that teacher as being a good person. I think the district should really look at this for what it is, "A witch hunt". Calling a hotdog a wiener is not different that calling pop a "soda" or a water fountain a "bubbler". Really these are then things the district worries about. Maybe the one that should be under investigation is the teacher that complained about this. I feel she could spend he time more wisely, like teacher her students. If she was half as dedicated to her students as Al is she wouldn't have time to trump up allogations over nothing.

Wisconsin has a rich German heritage and just a single generation ago, the word "wiener" was commonly used and simply meant various types of sausages. An opportunity to educate about language and history - especially by educators - was forfeited to, instead, vilify and ruin. Tragic.

Callitas, this seems like a good place to say GOOD MORNING WORM YOUR HONOR.

oscarmayerhotdog, you and I don't need two guesses, but let's be careful what we say here.

That said, for pete's sake either give us a better reason for this stupid reassignment or put Al back where he belongs. jv92, you're right. We're finished with TAGOS now, but owe that school, and Al, a great debt. A great debt. I will be on the phone today.

"If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding, how can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat!"

"You! Yes, you! behind the bikesheds, stand still laddie!"

I"ve been laughing at the word wiener every time i've heard it since I was 12. Big deal. I love how one line from an email gets printed, how about some context? you know, what reporters do when they report the news, not try to create it. But that's the business these days, create news, don't give facts.

anyway, All I can say is we really need to focus more energy and time on things that are really important. now had he re-enacted a scene from an old Tom Hanks movie I could understand an investigation, but this? Come one, use some common sense.

impala07 - I thought it was a good thing. I try to put a "/s" at the end of my sarcastic posts.

apparently if none of the parents or kids were interviewed it IMO means their input is of no value, only the co-worker which for all we know may have be shunned at one time or other and is not happy, IN MY Opinion. How many use "THAT WORD" Did You lose your job position for it? They need to talk with the ones that matter and who are the voices to be heard not ONE Female teacher.To have the charisma Al has would be something for more teachers to have. Maybe she is jealous that he is great with kids and she is not IMO! School Board need to read these posts and hear what people who have had close contact (as many parents did with Al) while he was working with their kids as that what teaching is about. Tj Do you use hotdog or wiener when cooking out or are you just a steak person.

just a thought If the school board is have barbeque and you must bring your own meat. Now will this staement be taken out of context.

pinkie1459, Oh I'd love to be an Oscar Meyer Wiener that is what I'd truly like to be, Cause if I were an Oscar Meyer Wiener Everyone would be in love with me. with that song have a great day.

TJ it isn't that he is good with kids, he is a great teacher. He cares what happens and does just about anything to see a child succeed. Not many teachers have what it takes to deal with some kids, yet he will take the time needed to help a "lost" kid and work with parents to see they do well. I think anyone that has had a chance to work with Al will most likely agree that teaching is more then a Job to Al. IMO he takes his job to another level and is dedicated to all his students, I have had the honors of having him teach 2 of my sons and will always be grateful for the time he took with them. At times there were others that worked with my sons and they didn't have the gift Al had nor the trust the kids had in Al. Thank you Al for being there for all the kids you helped and taught.

Isn't the most popular hot dog brand called Oscar Meyer Weiners??? This is just ridiculous! No wonder kids turn out the way they are now a days. Either the parents are so over protective or not involved enough in their kids lives and the kids either lash out to get attention or lash out because their parents are so over protective and get upset about the word wiener when referring to a hot dog. Get real

If this "school employee" felt it was sexual harrassment and made her feel uncomfortable for Lindau to be asking her if she wanted a "weiner" at a cookout where he was clearly serving the food then why was she there?? She obviously has other issues that go beyond this incident. "Your place or mine" I cannot count the times I have used the phrase when setting up a meeting it simply means "your office or mine, your school or mine, etc" The TAGOS program has lost a great leader and those kids a great role model. Unfortunately, when someone accuses of sexual harrassment there are no clear cut guidelines, it looks different to everyone.

Good post Sarah at 6:40am - I agree with your comments, but I don't think you can use the words "period of my life" in a post or you will be investigated. Being serious though --> sharing the info you did may help a certain school official look at all of this from a different perspective.

If my memory is correct - I think that the TAGOS brand wiener is on sale this week at your local grocery store. Just don't cause any problem by asking a store employee where the WiEnErS are! All local school and city statutes be strictly enforced by the Soup Nazi patrol at your store. Bread is "two dollars extra." A failure to follow rules mean that you will have to "come back one year."

Al is a great teacher and he belongs at TAGOS! Even though Im done and graduated from there I know everything will be much different, and not for the good. He helped soo many students... Some of the kids there other teachers would have put to the side Al actually gave them the time of day. I hope somthing is done about this .. :/

You know what parents, if you are angry enough, call your school board members. I don't know this guy or "the whole story" whatever that means, but if enough people stand up they will listen. GOOD people do not grow on trees and if you want him there you are going have to fight for him. I've seen school districts do an about face in situations like this before. They do put their fingers into the wind and see which way things are blowing from time to time.

My son has been a student at Tagos for two years and also commented on this article. Mr. Lindau was a huge asset to the students at Tagos and I hope many of them make it without him. He had a way with those kids I have never seen, patience, understanding, and keeping their heads up no matter what situation needed to be faced. The person whom he made "uncomfortable" must not know him, as he has a wonderful family and would not have been "hitting on her."Mr. Lindau cared very much for his career and loved working and helping these troubled kids. He has faith in each and every one of them. He brought life and happiness and everything positive to Tagos as all the staff there does but, he will be greatly missed by my kids and our family. We have teachers that molest students, teachers busted for drugs, sexual relationships with teachers and students, etc. and they are actually going to find that he needs to be removed from a school he pretty much started and put everything into always trying to better it with bright, new, exciting ideas that will keep the kids interested and keep them in school. Wonder if this woman is happy with what she has managed to take away from these kids. I am sorry, but really??? Over a wiener!!!

I'm a student from tagos, and I will give you 2 guesses at who the "school employee" was, the first one doesn't count.

good point jvl92

Sorry, my question was for Nukka.

nice one techmaster nice... I'm complaining to hr... now where is that number...

So sluggo why doesn't the SDJ have the "equipment" to tell the complainer that this does not constitute sexual harassment. Have we really arrived at the point where anything can be levied against anybody? Have we really degenerated to the point where perception IS reality? If so, these truly are scary times. I wish him the best because I fear he has been railroaded.

Sluggo, do you want a wiener? If so your place or mine. I have a grill too ya know.

WOW!! Don't kick me off, you're reading it the wrong way!

Having worked w/ppl like the ones who do the "complaining" as well having worked w/the ones who do the "investigating"....it appears as tho the SDJ does not feel as tho Mr.L really was a "villian" behind all this and thus they reassigned him...if they really felt it was malicious then he would have been canned just like the other John.

Salem 1692 false accusations, igmoring due process, etc

My worry is that there is a precedent being set here. Two down, how many more to go?

When I was in fifth grade my teacher made a mistake on a math problem all of the students laughed, she then smiled and said she must have pulled a boner ( a blunder or blooper). Us boys laughed all day because we knew what pulling a boner really meant. Should she have been let go? She was a great teacher!

This is still pretty ridiculous, he was quoting words on the package. As a student one of the things he, and the advisers sometimes teach us is to look at subliminal meanings of governments and industries to pick up on these meanings and catch phrases. He is a very silly guy, hes like a child at heart... He would /NEVER/ intentionally offend someone. Even if he did intend it sexually, it was simply out of humor because of how its worded on the package. I could name countless teachers that make sexual comments, stare at certain girls noticably, look down their shirts (a /lot/ of subs seem to like do this), all who go unquestioned. Al is not like that at all, a demotion or charges for quoting words on a food product is pretty ridiculous. Al has nothing but good intentions, you have to know him. I dont know who to blame for the picture used, but that is not a great picture, again something we've been taught to point out is how /media/ works. Surely, making him "sound" like a sex offender isn't enough, but you have to make him /look/ like one too... I hope by the end of this that he is in better shape than what hes being reassigned to. He did nothing wrong.

He is one the best assets Janesville has had and I guess I would be investigated as I use that word for hot dogs also. My God what doesn't get concidered sexual comment anymore. Al has done a great job and I have never seen him do anything but good things for the students. Apparently the person reporting this has some deep issues if this is offensive to her/him IMO The word "WIENER" has been used for as long as I remember for hot dog. ... Your place or mine for wieners over campfire.

Impala07 right again!

Also TJ, when a teacher actually takes an active interest in the student's success, while sainthood might be a stretch, they definately should be rewarded for an extremely trying job! Do you go to work everyday with the threat of eveything you say or do being misconstrued? Do you have not only your supervisor, but the board, and every parent in the school judging your every move and statement?? Teaching is a hard hard job! Just like any government office, for the 1 good representative there are 100 that are not, the same is true for teachers. The good ones are too far and few between! From loss of burn-out or false allegations, or the threat that society will sue you for one mistake. We need to stand up for the teachers that are there working for the students best interest. In my opinion Al Lindau is one of those teachers!

Impala07 you sure got that right.

That is where your wrong TJ, I am advocating for my kid with these statements. Al was the one teacher that was able to get through to my child.

I "advocated" for my son from the moment he started having issues, for you to suggest that I didn't is again you "assuming" without direct knowledge and fact, and personally offensive to me that you would just "assume" any parent isn't already involved in their childs success!!!

A parent can "advocate" for their child till there blue, but if you have the opposition against you and the child, no matter how hard the parent is involved.. leaving work at a moments notice with no thought to if that would make me lose my job, active in school functions, personal contact with the teachers daily, phone and email contact and face to face with the principal daily.. then when something finally works and you see your child succeeding because of a mentor that is actually encouraging and not ripping the child apart. That's when the parent is motivated to go on line and post their personal observations about the person that finally helped their child turn around.

I think "flirting" takes a leap that we can't take with the "info" we have here. What was the context of that email? "We need to meet in 10 minutes to discuss Student A"? CONTEXT, GAZETTE, please, this story is making less sense as the day wears on.

I wrote it 'appears' and I wrote 'look at the total picture.' I'm glad your such an advocate of a controversial teacher. Now switch that advocacy to your kid and you won't need the teacher.

Sannio.. so is this a good thing, or are you being sarcastic?

TJ.. are you a parent? Have you experienced a crap teacher that is burnt out and no longer there for the kids just to collect their check and move on?? Have you ever experienced your kids being labeled before someone gets to know them??

There might be more to the story! All I am commenting on is the "Al" that I know... in his workplace, and being directly present watching his interactions with the parents, the staff and the students. I believe that everyone should see the 2 sides to the story, and my son has experienced the awful side of the staff from this school district, which I commented on when that person had an article about them, and the Gazette staff promptly removed even though there was no language or offensive type remarks just statements of facts that I personally have seen and experienced. If you have some direct facts and examples that you would care to share regarding Al Lindau and his work ethic and character than by all means lets hear them. Or is it that your taking what you read in a paper or on-line as fact? I personally do not believe everything I read, and prefer to see the whole story, hear both sides. I prefer to make my own decisions about someone than to believe innuendo that comes from blogging.

I am sure that everyone knows someone that is a "lech" in their workplace. The Al I know is not that person.

He's great with the kids! He's great with the kids! Yeah but he appears to be a Lech in the workplace. Teaching isn't just how someone is with the kids, it's also personnel issues, following policy, absenteeism, tardiness, team player, and everything else every workplace has. Look at the total picture. Every time a teacher is nice to your kid you parents want to declare him for Sainthood!

I see impala07 just signed up today with one post.
WELL DONE!

I have to assume there is more to this story. We grew up with, "I wish I Were an Oscar Meyer Weiner" and being thrilled when we saw the "Weiner-mobile." I'm speechless.

Al is a fantastic mentor for the kids at Tagos.. My son has been at Tagos the last 2 years, and has come a long way from when he started. I do not understand why the kids or parents were never interviewed before making this decision. Justcuz is right Al has been very dedicated to the Students and the school and creating one of the top project based school in the Nation. This will be a huge loss for TAGOS as Al brought a vision and creativity in how to grow the project based school. I have spent many hours and impromtu visits to the school over the years, Al has always treated every member of the staff, parents and students with respect, and expected the same from each of them. Whether it was a statement that was "made up" or actually happened, what does it say about the employee to not take it at face value, and instead take it as a suggestive comment? There is no way that I can believe Al would make a suggestive comment to an employee or in front of the students. As far as the comment on "your place or mine" my guess would be that he was referring to should a discussion be held at the person's work station or at his. All of the advisors work stations are out in the open floor area, there are no walls or cubicals to hide behind.

One day the accuser will come across a situation where they make a totally innocent statement and someone will take that out of context. This happens often in most educational facilities. I hope they are able to look back and see how wrong they are about Al.

I agree Justcuz, why wasn't the comment brought straight back to Al and confronted him. Why should this person need to excalate it to the school district. There maybe more to the story.. I know there is more to Al Lindau's character than people will assume from these actions of the school district.

Contact me Al if you need a reference for another district! My son will greatly miss you this school year!

I guess the district forgot all the good things that Al did for the students and how he put his effort into the students and believed in them when no one else at the schools would. I have known him for years and he is dedicated to the students, that more I can say for some of the other schools that have dropped the ball.

Wow, I can not believe this. My daughter went to Tago's and Al was very dedicated to the Students and the school. And he always made the students treat every member of the staff with respect. It is to bad that people can make things up and wreck someones whole career. all about a "weiner" and "your place or mine" people need to grow up and realize accusing someone of sexual assault is very serious. even if he did make a coment like that are you telling me a grown adult cant simply say please dont speak to me that way. hopefully the complaintant never gets a job in a factory.

So I guess they did not like our innuendo?

careful the censors are watchin... no horeseplay children.

Good Grief................................not to your comment jvl. To the story.

OK, with context, I can now see how the interpretation of this comment was taken.